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October 2024 marked the seventh anniversary of the landmark United States Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Act, which was signed into law on October 6, 2017. Since then, the WPS Act has focused on promoting women’s safety and participation in U.S. foreign policy.
A legislative milestone
The WPS Act is the first legislation of its kind worldwide, setting a precedent for other nations to follow. The Act received bipartisan support, demonstrating the widespread recognition of women’s crucial role in conflict prevention and resolution. U.S.-based civil society also played a massive role in advocating for the Act’s passage, and their efforts guaranteed the inclusion of regular reporting and accountability provisions.
The Act mandates government action to integrate WPS principles into U.S. foreign policy. It requires developing a comprehensive, government-wide strategy to increase women’s participation in peace and security.
Strategic implementation
In 2023, the Biden administration released an updated WPS Strategy and National Action Plan (NAP) as required by the WPS Act. The four implementing departments and agencies are in the process of developing their implementation plans to be responsive to the updated Strategy.
Our Secure Future (OSF), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization focused on the implementation of the WPS agenda by building capacity of government officials, has actively monitored and provided input on the Act’s implementation. In particular, OSF, alongside other civil society organizations, has worked with the U.S. government and Congress to integrate WPS principles into policies, programs, and training.
This has led to significant operational changes, such as the Department of Defense incorporating WPS into security cooperation activities and USAID prioritizing women’s empowerment in conflict prevention and peacebuilding programs.
Yet, while progress has been made in developing WPS National Action Plans and policies, a gap remains in translating these frameworks into meaningful developments at the local level.
Furthermore, the persistent issue of gender-based violence, including sexual assault and harassment, in the U.S. military undermines the principles of the WPS Act and the U.S. government’s credibility as a leader in this field.
According to the Fiscal Year 2022 Department of Defense (DoD) Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, the DoD received 8,942 sexual assault reports of sexual assault and harassment throughout the department.
Key initiatives and funding
Although there continue to be setbacks toward comprehensive implementation, the WPS Act has resulted in several gender-specific peace and security initiatives, including the Supporting Her Empowerment (SHE WINS) program through the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues in the U.S. Department of State. SHE WINS has committed approximately $10 million in funding to build the capacity of women-led civil society organizations in conflict prevention and resolution, with a specific focus at the grassroots level.
USAID has also made strides in implementation, allocating over $15 million to promote women’s civic and political engagement in nine focus countries, according to the 2023 WPS Strategy and National Action Plan.
In January 2024, the U.S. government established the Global Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Rapid Response Fund, allocating $2 million to support women politicians and civil society leaders facing online threats and violence.
International cooperation
At the NATO 75th Anniversary Summit in July 2024, the Biden administration reaffirmed its WPS commitment and announced new actions.
Notably, according to a White House release on WPS following the NATO Summit, the U.S. and NATO allies collectively committed to a $7.6 million initiative to provide women’s body armor, boots and uniforms to the Ukrainian armed services, specifically addressing the equipment needs of approximately 6,000 women on the frontlines.
Furthermore, according to the same statement, the U.S. has joined over 30 partners to launch the $850 million Women LEAD initiative, committing $150 million to advance women’s leadership in democratic processes globally.
Additionally, the U.S. has integrated WPS principles across other policies and programs, including the Global Fragility Act, which measures gender inequality as a key indicator of potential instability and incorporates extensive stakeholder consultations with women leaders and women-led organizations.
The U.S. has also shared best practices and lessons learned with international partners for the development of National Action Plans (NAPs) on Women, Peace and Security, which have been adopted in 110 countries. This is supported by initiatives such as Our Secure Future’s Women, Peace and Security NAP Academy.
The OSF Women, Peace and Security NAP Academy offers technical assistance, training, and resources to help governments and civil society organizations integrate WPS principles into national policies and programs.
Future plans
As the WPS Act enters its eighth year, more developments are on the horizon for peace and security.
First, the four implementing departments and agencies (Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and USAID) plan to publicly release their updated WPS Implementation Plans in the coming months, outlining new and ongoing efforts to support the Act’s goals, which impact U.S. foreign policy and WPS implementation.
Moreover, the upcoming 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2025 presents a significant opportunity to reflect on progress and revitalize the potential of the WPS agenda.
Nonprofit organizations like OSF are already preparing for this milestone by working with partners to develop recommendations for strengthening global WPS implementation and addressing emerging challenges, such as the impact of artificial intelligence on conflict and the specific effects of nuclear weapons and autonomous weapons systems on women and girls.
While global conflicts continue to grow and change, the ongoing efforts of the U.S. government and the advocacy of organizations like OSF can help that the WPS Act and agenda remain a priority, making way for peace and security for everyone.
The news and editorial staffs of the Chicago Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.