Women, peace and security

Latvia has joined international human rights treaties and provides national reports on their implementation. Latvia promotes cooperation with UN special procedures and calls on UN member states to issue a standing invitation to them. Latvia actively contributes to the development of international human rights protection and promotion policies.

Promoting women's empowerment and equal opportunities is one of the priorities of Latvia's foreign policy in international organisations and in development cooperation. Latvia has high rates of female professional representation - representation of women in leading positions, scientific research and policy, being among leaders in the EU. The National Armed Forces of Latvia remains one of the leading NATO armed forces in terms of female representation.

On 14 July 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia approved the first National Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The Action Plan for 2020-2025 was developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.  

Latvia actively works on the promotion of media freedom and the safety of journalists. Latvia has joined Group of Friends on promoting the safety and protection of journalists in the framework of the UN, UNESCO, OSCE.

Latvia is a member of the Media Freedom Coalition, founded in 2019 by Canada and the United Kingdom. The Coalition has a mandate to provide support for journalists in danger in different regions of the world, the arrangement of global conferences and high-level political meetings and the provision of financial assistance. Latvia provides support to advancing the right of freedom of expression in other countries, including in Belarus.

Information on the United Nations Human Rights Council.