The U.S. government is committed to advancing women’s participation in peace and security processes and integrating gender perspectives in U.S. foreign policy and national security decision-making through implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Act of 2017. In doing so, we emphasize UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325’s premise that the core WPS principles of women’s participation and protection are critical for effective conflict prevention and resolution, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, and peacekeeping efforts. Women and girls play an integral role in building and maintaining global peace and security.

The implementation of the WPS agenda is both a moral and a strategic imperative for U.S. foreign policy and national security. Research shows that the status of women and the stability of nations are inextricably linked: higher levels of equality make countries more prosperous, secure, and democratic; conversely, lower levels of gender equality result in greater instability, corruption, and conflict. An escalation in the targeted rollback of the rights of women and girls has been proven to be one of the earliest warning signs of rising instability. Understanding and addressing the gendered dynamics of conflict will help the United States achieve and safeguard our national security priorities. When we institutionalize and invest in WPS initiatives through policies and programs, we invest in sustainable peace, international security, and economic stability.

Since the U.S. government last issued a U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security in 2019, critical global events have shifted the landscape—including geopolitical changes, a rise in climate-related crises, and advancements in technology, among others—which compel us to adapt and update our approach, in line with the requirements of the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017. These developments are reflected in this updated 2023 U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan (“Strategy”) on WPS.