The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) strongly condemns Sec. Hegseth’s announcement that he will remove Women, Peace and Security (WPS) as a policy priority for the Department of Defense.
WPS makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. GIWPS research shows that women’s representation in peace processes leads to longer-lasting peace. Furthermore, the level of security in a country is linked to women’s status. It is in America’s best interest—and that of our troops—to have more stability and peace abroad, and therefore to promote the WPS agenda.
Secretary Hegseth’s claim that WPS is a liberal or “woke” issue is not based in fact. The WPS framework is over 25 years old, and the United States’ WPS Act was co-sponsored by Secretary Marco Rubio and signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2017. Congress has a critical role to play to ensure the Defense Department’s compliance with the WPS Act.
GIWPS is a research center housed at Georgetown University. Ambassador Melanne Verveer, the founding director of GIWPS and the first US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, is available for comments.
For more information please contact Sarah Rutherford at sdr56@georgetown.edu or 412-965-9275.
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About Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security (GIWPS)
Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security seeks to promote a more stable, peaceful, and just world by focusing on the important role women play in preventing conflict and building peace, growing economies, and addressing global threats like climate change and violent extremism. We engage in rigorous research, host global convenings, advance strategic partnerships, and nurture the next generation of leaders. Housed within the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown, the Institute is headed by the former U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at giwps.georgetown.edu and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @giwps and Instagram @georgetown_wps.
Media Contact
Sarah Rutherford
sarah.rutherford@georgetown.edu