This important strategy—the first of its kind—will have far-reaching effects on the success and empowerment of women as it not only prioritizes women’s participation in conflict recovery, but in civilian and economic life as well. The DHS approach to implementation will be divided into two segments. First, the WPS implementation plan of the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) will be created and executed in close coordination with the Department of Defense. Second, this document sets forth the implementation plan of the remaining Components and Offices of DHS, which is the first step in a graduated approach to measuring interagency and DHS success. In part because the WPS, which implements the Act, is the first of its type in the world, this implementation plan will rely heavily on lessons learned and ongoing innovations within the field to further refine metrics and effectuate change. In the year following the approval of this implementation plan, DHS, in cooperation with the interagency effort, will begin data collection after 01 June 2020. Collection methodologies for the metrics discussed below will then be adjusted and strengthened based upon feedback, as well as the feedback of DHS Components, Offices, and relevant stakeholders. Additional Component and Office
specific performance metrics may be required as part of this process in subsequent years.

Because WPS is an internationally focused strategy, DHS will act in a supporting role to the U.S. Department of State (“DoS”) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (“USAID”). In close coordination with DoS and USAID, DHS will examine the relevant existing operational strategies and priorities of the Department to determine if gender analysis-based performance metrics can be incorporated into those strategies and priorities to produce measurable advances in WPS related opportunities for women and girls.