Women, Peace, and Security

Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012

On August 1, 2012, the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012 (WPS Act) was introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012 (WPS Act), enables Congress to do its part to move the United States toward an approach that will build lasting, just peace with women playing leading role in conflict prevention, peacemaking and peace building. The Act supports the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, and states that “implementation of the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) is paramount in improving the lives of women around the world and increasing global stability and prosperity."

The WPS Act would...

• require the Secretary of State to work with counterparts at the Pentagon and USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) to provide to Congress an annual report on women, peace, and security that gives an overview of how U.S. taxpayer dollars are being spent to promote women’s inclusion in decision-making with assessment of the impact of this assistance;
• oblige the head of each relevant agency of the Federal Government to ensure incorporation of tenets of the NAP (to include and empower women as equal partners) into all programs for conflict prevention; humanitarian and disaster response; conflict mediation; peacekeeping; post-conflict reconstruction; and democracy promotion;
• institute comprehensive training programs on the value of women’s participation in such areas as conflict prevention for all relevant diplomatic, defense, and development personnel;
• encourage the United States to assist women mediators and negotiators by eliminating barriers to their equal and secure participation in peace processes and to support partner governments that demonstrate a commitment to recruiting and retaining women in leadership roles;
• and instruct the President to designate a member of the National Security Council to oversee effective integration and implementation of the NAP goals and objectives on women, peace, and security in all relevant Federal agencies.

Click here to see WAND's Fact Sheet on The Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012.

See U.S. Senators who have co-sponsored the WPS Act (S. 3477) here.

See U.S. Representatives who co-sponsored the WPS Act (H.R. 6255) here.

UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security

On December 19, 2011, President Obama issued an Executive Order to establish a National Action Plan on women, peace, and security, formalizing the US's commitment to promoting women's role in conflict prevention and resolution. The Executive Order states, "The goal is as simple as it is profound: to empower half of the world's population as equal partners in preventing conflict and building peace in countries threatened and affected by war, violence, and insecurity. Achieving this goal is critical to our national and global security."

The NAP is the outcome of a process that began over a decade ago with the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which encouraged the UN and its member states to integrate a "gender perspective" in all aspects of peace and security. Read the WAND sponsored Women's International League for Peace and Freedom's (WILPF) white paper on US SCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security: WILPF U S Statement on U S SCR 1325 NAP

Please see WAND's new Fact Sheet on The United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for further information.

Read more about the National Action Plan and what it means here.

Women's Rights, Human Rights: CEDAW

CEDAW, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination, is often described as an international "Bill of Rights" for women. It is the first and only international instrument that comprehensively addresses women's rights within political, cultural, economic, social, and family life. The ratification of CEDAW is of utmost importance to WAND.

Keep up-to-date on the process with our CEDAW website.

Dare to Make a Difference

Over half the U.S. population is female. Guess how many women occupy positions within State Legislatures, Governorships, or Congress? Studies have shown that women legislate differently than men, often acting more collaboratively, seeking long-term results, and tending to take fewer risks. Given our nation’s current economic crisis and our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is no question that Congress would benefit from having more women in its chambers. More women need to run for public office.

Download our Women Take Action Report to learn more.

The Real Meaning of Mother's Day

Mother's Day began as a cry for peace. Julia Ward Howe proposed that one day a year, we step back and act on behalf of the values represented by motherhood: values that “make for peace.” She called it Mother’s Peace Day. Each year, WAND celebrates Mother's Day in the spirit of its original significance.

Learn the whole story of the Real Meaning of Mother's Day!