Women, Peace and Security

Women Graduates–USA is a nonprofit organization whose members are college and university graduates, graduate students, doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers.  As members of WG–USA, our members are also members of Graduate Women International; WG–USA is the US Affiliate of GWI. Our international perspective informs our advocacy for social and economic justice for all women and girls. 

WG–USA believes that the foundation for a peaceful world will be built when women and girls are empowered by education and economic security to advocate for themselves and their communities. Inversely, achieving a peaceful world depends upon the equality of women that has been achieved through education and economic security.

WG–USA recognizes two sets of United Nations documents are critical tools for moving gender equality forward in conflict and post-conflict situations: the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which is considered the International Bill of Rights for Women; and the Security Council Resolution #1325 (SCR1325) “Women, Peace & Security”. 

The United States State Department: 
The US Department of State’s “Women Peace and Security Implementation Plan” presents guiding principles which substantively link the US plan with global efforts to advance women’s safety and security, and economic empowerment of women and girls.

The United States White House Actions:
In March 2021, US President Biden released Executive Order 14020, Establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council (GPC), which mandated a whole-of government strategy to advance gender equity and equality, with sensitivity to the experiences of those who suffer discrimination based on multiple factors, including membership in an underserved community. The 2022 Report to Congress on its implementation noted actions from the departments of State, Agency of International Development (USAID), Homeland Security, and Defense. In his first full year as the head of the Administration, President Biden released his 2022 Report to Congress on the implementation of the Women Peace and Security Action Plan. This report documents actions of the departments of State, Agency for International Development (USAID), Homeland Security and Defense. 

WG–USA actions advocating for Women, Peace and Security
As a further strategy to prevent conflict and protect innocent civilians, WG–USA voted in 2012 to support and advocate for the use of non-violent methods in protecting civilians in areas of conflict, while also training local civilians—especially women—in the successful methods to protect themselves and their communities.

 In the U.S. the use of “Unarmed Civilian Protection” (UCP) was incorporated into the FY2021 appropriations bill which directs the Secretary of State to provide training funds for use of organizations using UCP methods.

Women Graduates–USA continues to monitor any updates provided by the Administration and Congress, and take actions to advocate for the implementation of the 2019 National Strategy for Women, Peace & Security.

Resources:
Women Graduates-USA Position Paper:  Women, Peace and Security.
Women's Meaningful Participation Brings Peace Infographic
Peace Women - Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
U.S. Department of State – Cross-Cutting Issues: Violent Extremism, Violence Against Women, Women’s Leadership