The WPS Act of 2017 recognizes the benefits derived from creating opportunities for women to serve as agents of peace around the world, through political, economic, and social empowerment.

The Act designates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State (DoS), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as implementing agencies. Although the Act focuses on outcomes abroad, these global outcomes have a direct impact on our Nation’s security as threats that arise from global conflict and the mass displacement of people make their way to the Homeland.

In June 2019, the White House published the United States Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security (Strategy), acknowledging the diverse roles women play as agents of change in preventing and resolving conflict, countering terrorism and violent extremism, and building post-conflict peace and stability. In May 2020, DHS published its agency-specific implementation plan. Consistent with the Strategy, DHS’s implementation plan sets forth four lines of effort (LOE): LOE-1, Participation; LOE-2, Protection and Access; LOE-3, Internal U.S. Capabilities; and LOE-4, Partner Support. In June 2021, DHS provided its first annual report documenting progress toward implementing the DHS plan.

This report documents DHS’s accomplishments in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021.