The White House Gender Policy Council led the development of the first-ever National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, which sets forth a vision and comprehensive agenda to advance gender equity and equality in domestic and foreign policy.
The strategy identifies ten interconnected priorities:
1) economic security; 2) gender-based violence; 3) health; 4) education; 5) justice and immigration; 6) human rights and equality under the law; 7) security and humanitarian relief; 8) climate change; 9) science and technology; and 10) democracy, participation, and leadership. Through its defense, diplomacy, foreign aid, and trade efforts, the U.S. government will advance the rights and opportunities of women and girls across the world. Factsheet
The U.S. strategy on women, peace and security provides the Defense Department with an internationally recognized path to pursuing long-term security and stability while also demonstrating our commitment to dignity, human rights and equality under the law. At its core, the WPS strategy recognizes the unique effect of conflict on women and girls, as well as the positive influence women have on everything from peace negotiations to managing and minimizing conflict.
Latest WPS Podcasts
Latest News
Women on the Front Lines in Myanmar’s Fight for Democracy
Dr. Miemie Byrd’s latest article “Women on the Front Lines in Myanmar’s Fight for Democracy,” was published by the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, on Aug. 26. In this article, Byrd illustrates how the coup [...]
U.S. Pacific Air Forces Convenes International Symposium on Women, Peace, and Security
The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies collaborated with the U.S. Pacific Forces (PACAF) [...]
The Future is Female: Positioning Women as Drivers of Economic Growth
Dr. Saira Yamin has a new article, “The Future is Female: Positioning Women as Drivers of Economic Growth,” published in a special International Women’s [...]
Enabling Meaningful Participation for Women in the Security Sector
In the latest podcast on Women, Peace and Security Conversations with Thought Leaders, Dr. Saira Yamin speaks to distinguished APCSS alumna (i) Major General Suzanne [...]
WPS Articles
UNSCR 1325 on Women and Peace and Security: Assessment and Recommendations
Keynote Interview with Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Initiator of the precursor decision leading to UN Security Council Resolution 1325, as the Security Council President in March 2000.
Societal Violence Against Women & National Insecurity: The Need for Gendered Security
Is a societal peace, prosperity and stability conditional to the treatment of women, men, girls, and boys? Read “Societal violence against women and national insecurity: A need for gendered security” by Dr. James M. Minnich in “Hindsight, Insight, Foresight: Thinking about Security in the Indo-Pacific.”
Building Peace and Security: A Woman Trailblazer in Pakistan
An Interview with Ms. Ammara Aamer Khattak, Additional Director, Pakistan Civil Services Academy, Lahore
Women’s Empowerment in Bangladesh: Preventing Violent Extremism and Building Peace
An Interview with Dr. Lailufar Yasmin, Professor, Department of International Relations University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Empowering Women as Leaders: Role of Governments and International Cooperation
An Interview with Ms. Shanchita Haque, Minister, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh, U.N Headquarters, New York
WPS Milestones
- United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security dated 31 Oct 2000, and related resolutions:1820 (2008); 1888(2009); 1889 (2009); 1960 (2010); 65/283 (2011); 2106 (2013); 2122 (2013); 2242 (2015); 2272 (2016); 2331 (2016); 2467(2019); 2493 (2019); 2538 (2020)
- National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific region:
Chile (2009, 2015), Canada (2010, 2017), Philippines (2010, 2017), U.S.A. (2011, 2016), Nepal (2011), Australia (2012), Republic of Korea (2014, 2018), Indonesia (2014), Japan (2015), New Zealand (2015), Timor Leste (2016), Solomon Islands (2017), Bangladesh (2019).
View UN Member States’ WPS National Action Plans - United States Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017
View Document
Gender Analysis Tools
PMESII-PT/GSP4 Gendered Security Analysis Tool by Dr. James M. Minnich.
PMESII-PT/GSP4 Gendered Security Analysis Tool (GSAT)
This tool defines 32 aspects of gendered security in an operational environment through a crosswalk of the operation variables of political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment and time with the gendered security principles of gendered perspective, prevention, protection, and participation.
Gendered Security Analysis Tool (GSAT) Worksheet
A gendered security analysis is an analytical framework to aid thinking by identifying gender-based vulnerabilities, risks, and needs from impacts of peace, crisis, and conflict. This process considering information (what do we know?), raises questions (what does it mean?) and develops strategies (“what will we do?).
The GSAT Worksheet frames a three step process of a gendered security analysis. Step 1: View the security environment through a gendered security lens, identifying facts and observations, asking: “What do we know?” Step 2: Make deductions (inferences from facts), inductions (inferences from observations), and abductions (draw probable conclusions), asking “What does it mean?” Step 3: Consider how to approach a designated activity to advance gendered security initiatives, asking: “What will we do?”
Gender Analysis in Strategic Planning by Department of State.
This tool analyzes five domains: (1) Laws, Policies, Regulations, and Institutional Practices, (2) Cultural Norms and Beliefs (3) Gender Roles, Responsibilities and Time Use, (4) Access to and Control over Assets and Resources, and (5) Patterns of Power and Decision-making. Gender Analysis in Strategic Planning by Department of State.
WPS Fellows Projects
Ms. Jennifer Key (ASC 17-2), Samoa
Assistant CEO of the Policy Division at the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Ms. Key helped draft Samoa’s first National Security Policy. She was Awarded DKI APCSS 2018 Alumnus off the Year Award based on the significance of her achievement and for the impact of this project, not only for Samoa, but also for the positive influence it had on other Oceania countries intent on creating their own national security policy.
Ms. Saira Ali Ahmed (ASC 17-1), Pakistan
Women’s Rights in Sindh: Mighty Obstacles and Slow Progress.
Ms. Ahmed brought awareness to the issue of Honor Killings in Pakistan. She developed a Women’s Protection Cell and a District Women’s Support Group, comprised of members of government, lawyers, police officers, and others to assist gender-based violence survivors with legal help to seek justice. Many forums were organized to bring awareness and seek assistance in addressing issues of human rights and sexual harassment. Ahmed was awarded the Women of Excellency Award from Pakistan’s National Assembly in December 2017 and the DKI APCSS 2017 Alumnus of the Year Award. She addressed the Fellows of ASC 18-1 on her accomplishments.
Ms. Aye May (ASC 14-3), Myanmar. Northern Shan State Women Organization Network (NSSWON).
In 2018, the NSSWON successfully conducted a historic workshop to improve civil-military relations in Myanmar. This was the first time a local ethnic minority NGO was permitted to discuss Myanmar’s democratic transition process. Funded by USAID, the event was officially authorized and registered with the assistance of the Myanmar DKI APCSS alumni network. Four DKI APCSS alumni also served as speakers and facilitators. Over 100 women from 11 different ethnic minority groups attended the event. The participants developed realistic action plans and specific activities they could implement to develop common understanding and build trust between their ethnic communities and the local military and militia units operating in their areas.
Ms. Hawwa Abdul Raheem (ASC 17-2), Maldives.
Role of Women in Countering Violent extremism.
Violent extremism has emerged as a pressing issue in the security environment in the Maldives in recent years, increasingly undermining societal harmony through the spread of divisive religious ideologies. A new approach by extremist actors has targeted women as facilitators, recruiters, and moral supporters of men fighting on the front lines. Recognizing the significance of this threat, Expert Lecturer at the College of Defense and Security Studies, Ms. Hawwa Abdul Raheem, developed a curriculum on the role of women in countering extremism as part of her Fellows Project. With the assistance of the Maldives National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC), she has conducted several successful awareness programs in selected atolls and the capital Male.
Colonel Michel Abdo (CCM 12-1), Lebanon.
Integration of Female Border Security Guards.
The border between Syria and Lebanon has been notoriously porous and has seen a steady flow of Syrians escaping the war. These included refugees – children, women and men – as well as armed actors, in some cases disguised as women. Effective governance mechanisms in the border areas have been key to determining Lebanon’s stability. While deployed at the border, Colonel Michel Abdo, played a critical role in protecting communities escaping the violence in Syria while also keeping a check on the flow of transnational armed groups. His APCSS Fellows Project was a pioneering effort to recruit female border guards to advance these efforts.
Ms. Daniela Sepúlveda Soto (ASC 17-1), Chile.
National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
Chile was amongst the first countries to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) aligned with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security and has since produced two documents. The first NAP, published in 2009, was a formal adherence document to the UN resolution. The second NAP, launched in 2015, focussed on the participation of women in international peace processes. Ms. Daniela Sepúlveda Soto developed a Fellows Project proposing a Third Generation Plan, incorporating elements for greater sustainability and efficiency in the National Plan Action Plan using a systematic implementation guide for application in Peacekeeping Operations. As Head of Department of South, Central America and the Caribbean, International Relations Division, Ministry of National Defense of Chile, Ms. Soto’s recommendations have been officially proposed to the Interministerial Table for Resolution 1325 of Chile, made up of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Women.
Ms. Chandra Hada (CCM 13-1), Nepal. Disaster Risk Reduction for Vulnerable Communities in Eastern Nepal.
Following the 2011 earthquake in Nepal where many buildings and schools were damaged, the project aimed at building community resiliency through earthquake preparedness training and building earthquake-resistant schools for a safe and secure educational environment. Beneficiaries of this project included the students, girls and boys, and staff – both female and male in two districts where the earthquake had damaged 597 school buildings.
Course Enrollment Trends for Women
Contacts
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