Department of State Implementation Plan for the US National Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security

  • Department of State

Summary

The WPS movement originated as a result of the leadership of women from the Global South3 in response to the disproportionate impacts of conflict and crisis on women and girls. For the first time, civil society leaders demanded that UN member states recognize the critical role women play in building and sustaining peace and international security, and in ensuring gender-responsive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed approaches in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance efforts, resulting in the adoption of UNSCR 1325, the first resolution of its kind.

In 2017, the United States codified its longstanding foreign policy commitment to women’s participation and protection in areas of conflict by passing the WPS Act, which made it the first country in the world with a comprehensive law on WPS. Thanks to the support of the bipartisan WPS Caucus, one of only two parliamentary caucuses in the world focused on WPS, we remain accountable to the goals and commitments outlined in the WPS Act.

Decades of research, evidence-based practices, and experiences of those affected by fragility, instability, and conflict demonstrate that the status and safety of women and the stability of nations are inextricably linked. We know that higher levels of gender equality make countries more prosperous, secure, and democratic.  Women’s inclusion in decision-making, access to justice, and equal enjoyment of physical security is vital in building and strengthening resilient, peaceful, and sustainable societies, and therefore matters for everyone.5

As the world grapples with the highest rate of conflict since World War II, ensuring women’s safe, equal, and meaningful participation in all peace, political, and security-related processes is critical now more than ever. Research shows that increased threats to women’s and girls’ protection and leadership do not emerge from active conflicts and crises alone. For example, natural disasters have a disproportionate impact on women and girls. Yet, women and girls continue to experience underrepresentation in decision-making processes related to disaster relief efforts and environmental insecurity across all levels and sectors, which reduces the likelihood of their perspectives being incorporated and of responses being effective, ultimately limiting outcomes for all of society.

The critical leadership role that women play in conflict prevention is also at the core of UNSCR 1325 and is integrated throughout the Strategy’s five Lines of Effort (LOE). The integration of WPS is a cross-cutting priority in the Global Fragility Act (GFA) of 2019 and the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018. The integration of WPS in fragility and atrocity prevention (AP) legislation and subsequent strategies further reflects the U.S. commitment to WPS as a core tenet of preventing conflict and atrocities and promoting stability.

The WPS Strategy highlights three “Guiding Principles” which serve as a roadmap for U.S. government implementation: (1) Intersectional Approach; (2) Systemic Approach; and (3) Localization. The Department will lead an inclusive, intersectional approach in our implementation of the WPS Strategy to enable a more comprehensive, equitable, and contextdriven understanding of the drivers and effects of conflict and potential responses. This includes ensuring that the Department combats systemic inequalities in seen and unseen power imbalances that individuals and communities face around the world. Finally, the Department is committed to ensuring that diverse, local perspectives are heard and integrated into all efforts to promote women’s and girls’ safety and protection from violence, exploitation, and abuse, as well as efforts to promote their meaningful participation in processes that advance democracy, peace, and security.

Per the mandate of the WPS Act, the Department will implement the U.S. Strategy on WPS in close coordination with the Departments of Defense (DoD), Homeland Security (DHS), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This whole-of-government approach increases the reach and effectiveness of WPS-related foreign policy and assistance while upholding our collective commitments within the areas of defense, development, and diplomacy.

The Department’s WPS Implementation Plan will advance core U.S. national security objectives by providing a more stable, durable, and inclusive foundation for our foreign policy efforts.  Aligned with the Strategy, the Department’s implementation will be structured under five LOEs, which are outlined in more detail throughout this plan:

LOE #1 – Participation: Seek and support the preparation and meaningful participation of all women and girls in civic and political leadership, in informal and formal decision-making processes, and institutions related to peace and security.

LOE #2 – Protection: Promote the protection of human rights for all people, bearing in mind gender, and prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) in conflict and crisis contexts, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).

LOE #3 – Relief, Response, and Recovery: Prioritize the integration of gender-responsive policies and programs to support the safety, participation, and leadership of women and girls in U.S. government responses to conflict, crises, and disasters; reinforce women’s agency and decision-making at every level of relief, response, and recovery efforts; and provide safe, equitable access to humanitarian assistance.

LOE #4 – Integration and Institutionalization: Integrate WPS principles across U.S. policies and programming to strengthen the institutionalization of comprehensive gender analyses and improve gender equality outcomes.

LOE #5 – Partnerships: Encourage partners to mainstream WPS principles across policies and strategies and strengthen capacity to improve gender equality in processes and institutions connected to peace and security decision-making.

We are committed to comprehensively implementing the WPS Act and recognizing the universal rights of all individuals, particularly women and girls.

Citation

Department of State. “Implementation Plan for the U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security,” 2023.

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