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U.S. National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security

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December 19, 2011

The U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of the United States, spoke in Gaston Hall on "The U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security."

U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

On Monday, December 19, 2011, President Obama signed an executive order that establishes women, peace, and security as U.S. Policy. Read the full Executive Order on Women, Peace and Security [external link]. Ambassador Susan E. Rice's statement [external link].

  • Promoting women’s participation in conflict prevention, management, and resolution, as well as in post-conflict relief and recovery, advance peace, national security, economic and social development, and international cooperation;
  • Recognition that sexual violence, when used or commissioned as a tactic of war or as a part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilians, can exacerbate and prolong armed conflict and can impede the restoration of peace and security;
  • The U.S. government will have a National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security.

USIP has played a unique role in creating and regularly convening the U.S. Civil Society Working Group, which is a group of over 20 U.S. based NGOs that has provided policy shaping information and guidance to the USG Interagency Committee on the U.S. NAP.

The Gender and Peacebuilding Center is committed to assisting the U.S. government craft an unparalleled innovative national action plan. The working group stands ready to consult, advise and inform as appropriate. It is situated to support and facilitate efforts by the U.S. government in seeking the critical inputs on the U.S. National Action Plan from civil society in countries affected by conflict.

 

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325

U.N. Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security is a framework for more effective conflict resolution and sustainable peacebuilding. The Security Council adopted the resolution unanimously in October 2000, following persistent advocacy by grassroots civil society groups. UNSCR 1325 addresses not only the inordinate impact of war on women, but also the pivotal role women should and do play in conflict management, conflict resolution, and sustainable peace.

For further information about the U.S. Civil Society Working Group, please contact USIP‘s Gender and Peacebuilding Center at gender@usip.org.

The Gender and Peacebuilding Center convenes the U.S. Civil Society Working Group on Women, Peace and Security. The Working Group comprises organizations and individuals dedicated to advancing the rights, security and participation of women in the prevention of and response to conflict. It is made up of scholars, peace and development practitioners, and human rights advocates, with years of experience working with women across conflict zones worldwide.

The Working Group has met regularly since its formation in July 2010.

“Women should have access to the same opportunities and be able to make the same choices as men. Experience shows that countries are more peaceful and prosperous when women are accorded full and equal rights and opportunity. When those rights and opportunities are denied, countries often lag behind.” U.S. National Security Strategy, 2010, p. 38


Spring 2011 | Resource 
Women and War
Book by Kathleen Kuehnast, Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, and Helga Hernes, editors. In light of U.N. Resolution 1325 (which calls for women’s active participation in promoting peace and security and for greater efforts to protect women victimized by violence during and after conflict), this volume takes stock of the current state of knowledge on women, peace and security issues. It examines efforts to increase women’s participation in peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction strategies, as well as better interventions to protect women from wartime sexual violence.
 

May 5-6, 2011 | Event
Women & War Book Launch and Symposium

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), Peace Research Institute-Oslo (PRIO), and Royal Norwegian Embassy hosted a book launch and international symposium on the next decade of UNSCR 1325 on the afternoon of May 5th and all day on May 6th. The symposium further examined the issues of women and war, power and protection in the 21st century, and explored the implementation of gender-sensitive policies in defense, diplomacy, development, and the role of documentary film, media and the arts in this endeavor. | Watch videos from the Women & War Symposium
 

November 3-5, 2010 | Event
Women and War Conference

On November 3-5, 2010 the U.S. Institute of Peace and its partners hosted a three-day Women and War Conference focused on the varied experiences of women during wartime and how to make sustained progress toward international peace and security. The conference featured an extraordinary coalition of national and international participants, including U.N. and U.S. government officials, the international diplomatic communities, military personnel, academics, civil society leaders, and practitioners in the fields of security, development, and conflict resolution. | Watch videos of the Women and War Conference

July 27, 2010 | Event Video
Women, Peace, and Security: Fulfilling the Vision of 1325

Watch a video of this working meeting where participants discussed the tenth anniversary of UNSC 1325. Panelists discussed its history, lessons, and experiences of the last ten years. | Watch the video