Women, Peace, and Security

The Women, Peace, and Security framework is a globally-recognized agenda which emphasizes the vital role of women in peace conflicts. This agenda began on October 31st, 2000, when the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325, the global commitment to incorporating women in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and strengthening gender equality. In the past 25 years, over 100 countries have created National Action Plans, or NAPs, to guide their WPS policy and implementation.

When women meaningfully participate in peace negotiations, peace agreements are significantly more likely to succeed and last at least 15 years. The impact comes from the diverse knowledge and skills women bring to discussions. By highlighting community needs, security risks, and other factors contributing to long-term stability, women make a massive impact on the longevity of a peace agreement.

WPS Legislation in the United States The U.S. codified WPS through the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017, the very first national law in the world dedicated to WPS. This law was seen as a bipartisan success, and even a significant achievement of President Donald Trump’s first term in office. This law was signed by Donald Trump and was sponsored or cosponsored by then-legislators like Marco Rubio and Kristi Noem. This act requires the U.S. government to promote women’s participation in peace and security processes both at home and globally.

This trailblazing act is implemented through federal agencies such as the Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and USAID. Each agency develops specific strategies to implement WPS as thoroughly as possible. Agencies adopt initiatives like training personnel on gender perspectives in conflict, expanding women’s roles in security forces and peacekeeping, partnering with local women leaders in conflict-affected areas, and reporting progress to Congress. This framework requires agencies to thoroughly integrate the perspectives of women throughout their work, not just half-heartedly implementing initiatives.

Recent Attacks to WPS

Even though WPS has received broad bipartisan support over the years, the agenda faces risks. In April 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called for an end to the DoD WPS program. This raised concerns about the future of gender-informed training and planning. Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the DoS would continue to support WPS, as he did champion the act during his time in Congress, but ended the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI). This closure indicates that Secretary Rubio’s commitment to gender equality is much weaker than he suggests.

Why WPS Must Be Protected

Protecting the Women, Peace, and Security agenda is vital to U.S. leadership and global stability. Evidence clearly displays that peace is more likely to last when women are involved, communities recover more quickly when women support post-conflict rebuilding, and gender-based violence decreases when women are involved in military leadership. In a world where there are increasing conflicts, cuts to humanitarian aid, and political instability, the WPS agenda demonstrates evidence-backed initiatives to create more peace and national security.

WPS is not about partisanship, but rather ensuring that U.S. policy reflects what research has shown time and time again: when women are at the table, peace and security strengthens.

Editors Note: Learn more about the Women, Peace & Security Agenda with Dr. Kara Hooser’s blog: “Practicing Hope in Difficult Times: What WPS at 25 Still Makes Possible.”