U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowGovernment Website**Official websites use .gov**
              
                              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Safely connect using HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
              
              A **lock**
                (A locked padlock)
                or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.  
 Menu

      close
        
                            Enter Search Term
                Search
      Topics
      
                
  
          Topics


      
        Topics
    
    
              Border Security
      
    
              Citizenship and Immigration
      
    
              Cybersecurity
      
    
              Disasters
      
    
              Election Security
      
    
              Homeland Security Enterprise
      
    
              Human Trafficking
      
    
              Immigration and Customs Enforcement
      
    
              Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
      
    
              Resilience
      
    
              Science and Technology
      
    
              Trade and Economic Security
      
    
              Transportation Security
      
    
              News
      
                
  
          News


      
        News
    
    
              All DHS News
      
    
              Apps
      
    
              Blog
      
    
              Comunicados de Prensa
      
    
              Data
      
    
              Events
      
    
              Fact Sheets
      
    
              Featured News
      
    
              Homeland Security LIVE
      
    
              Media Contacts
      
    
              Media Library
      
    
              National Terrorism Advisory System
      
    
              Press Releases
      
    
              Publications Library
      
    
              Social Media
      
    
              Speeches
      
    
              Subscribe
      
    
              Testimony
      
    
              In Focus
      
                
  
          In Focus


      
        In Focus
    
    
              Addressing Climate Change
      
    
              Artificial Intelligence at DHS
      
    
              Cybersecurity
      
    
              Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
      
    
              Honoring Veterans
      
    
              Migration and Borders
      
    
              Operation Allies Welcome
      
    
              Recognizing DHS Excellence
      
    
              Uniting for Ukraine
      
    
              How Do I?
      
                
  
          How Do I?


      
        How Do I?
    
    
              Alphabetical Listing
      
    
              At DHS
      
    
              For Businesses
      
    
              For Travelers
      
    
              For the Public
      
    
              Get Involved
      
                
  
          Get Involved


      
        Get Involved
    
    
              #BeCyberSmart
      
    
              Blue Campaign
      
    
              Citizen Corps
      
    
              If You See Something, Say Something®
      
    
              Know2Protect
      
    
              Nationwide SAR Initiative
      
    
              REAL ID
      
    
              Ready.gov
      
    
              Stop the Bleed
      
    
              US Coast Guard Auxiliary
      
    
              About DHS
      
                
  
          About DHS


      
        About DHS
    
    
              Budget & Performance
      
    
              Contact Us
      
    
              Employee Resources
      
    
              History
      
    
              Homeland Security Careers
      
    
              In Memoriam
      
    
              Laws & Regulations
      
    
              Leadership
      
    
              Mission
      
    
              Organization
      
    
              Priorities
      
    
              Site Links Breadcrumb
Home
  Topics
  Homeland Security Enterprise
  U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security

     Border Security
                
                    
      
      Citizenship and Immigration
                
                    
      
      Cybersecurity
                
                    
      
      Disasters
                
                    
      
      Election Security
                
                    
                    
      Homeland Security Enterprise
                
      Academic Engagement
                
                    
      
      Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
                
                    
      
      Combating Gender-Based Violence
                
                    
      
      Customer Experience (CX) at DHS
                
                    
      
      DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
                
                    
      
      Do Business with DHS
                
                    
      
      Federal Protective Service
                
                    
      
      Financial Assistance
                
                    
      
      Information Sharing
                
                    
      
      Intelligence and Analysis
                
                    
      
      International Engagement
                
                    
      
      LGBTQI+ Community Safety
                
                    
      
      Law Enforcement
                
                    
      
      Office of Homeland Security Statistics
                
                    
      
      Ombudsman Offices
                
                    
      
      Privacy
                
                    
                    
      U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security
                
                    
      
      Veterans and Homeland SecurityHuman Trafficking
                
                    
      
      Immigration and Customs Enforcement
                
                    
      
      Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
                
                    
      
      Resilience
                
                    
      
      Science and Technology
                
                    
      
      Trade and Economic Security
                
                    
      
      Transportation SecurityU.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security
Around the world, conflict and disasters adversely and disproportionately affect women and girls, yet women remain under-represented in efforts to prevent and resolve conflict, and in post-conflict peace-building or recovery efforts. Research has shown that peace negotiations are more likely to succeed, and result in lasting stability, when women participate.

The Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 was signed into law on October 6, 2017. The Act recognizes the benefits derived from creating opportunities for women and girls to serve as agents of peace via political, economic, and social empowerment. In June of 2019, in response to the requirements of the Act, the United States Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) was published by the White House. Both the Act and the WPS aim to promote the meaningful inclusion of women in processes to prevent, mitigate, resolve, and recover from deadly conflict or disaster. Efforts related to WPS have been ongoing across the US government for more than a decade.

Overall goals of the Act and the WPS include:

Women are more prepared and increasingly able to participate in efforts that promote stable and lasting peace;
	Women and girls are safer, better protected, and have equal access to government and private assistance programs, including from the United States, international partners, and host nations; and
	The United States and partner governments have improved institutionalization and capacity to ensure WPS efforts are sustainable and long-lasting.Key departments and agencies that will implement the WPS Strategy include, but are not limited to, the Departments of State, Defense (DOD), and Homeland Security (DHS); and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This Administration will capitalize on the opportunity to link our new, strategic approach to women, peace, and security to the National Security Strategy (NSS) and other national strategic guidance on matters of peace and security, including the 2018 National Strategy for Counterterrorism; the 2018 National Defense Strategy; State, DOD, and USAID 2018 Stabilization Assistance Review; the 2018 Strategy to Support Women and Girls at Risk from Violent Extremism and Conflict; efforts to counter trafficking consistent with the NSS, including pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act; and National Security Presidential Memorandum 16: Promoting Women’s Global Development and Prosperity, which the President signed in February 2019, establishing the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP). In line with the NSS, the W-GDP Initiative seeks to empower women economically around the world, and in so doing, create conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all.

DHS Annual Reports on Implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Act

2022 DHS Annual Report on Implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Act
	DHS Implementation Plan to Support the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security (June 2020)
	DHS Moves to Support Global Peace, Stability, and Security by Enhancing Women's Leadership Around the World Through Whole-of-Government Strategy (DHS news release, June 11, 2020)U.S. Women, Peace, and Security Congressional Reports

2023 Women, Peace, and Security Strategy (WPS) and National Action Plan
	2022 U.S. Women, Peace, and Security Congressional Report
	​2021 U.S. Women, Peace, and Security Congressional Report  
	Statement by President Biden on the Women, Peace, and Security Report
	U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security (Whitehouse.gov)
	Women, Peace, and Security Strategy: Milestones and Metrics
	Partner Agency Implementation Plans
	U.S. Department of Defense
		U.S. Department of State
		U.S. Agency for International Development
      
    
    TopicsHomeland Security Enterprise
              Civil Rights and Civil LibertiesKeywordsOffice for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)
              Security
              Strategy
              Women

    Last Updated: 10/31/2023
  
Was this page helpful?
  Yes
NoThis page was not helpful because the content
  has too little information
has too much information
is confusing
is out-of-date Return to top

           Topics
      
    
                  News
      
    
                  In Focus
      
    
                  How Do I?
      
    
                  Get Involved
      
    
                  About DHS
                            
        U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal
      
    DHS.gov
                  An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityAbout DHS
                              Accessibility
                              Budget and Performance
                              DHS Components
                              FOIA Requests
                              No FEAR Act Data
                              Privacy Policy
                              Site Links
                              Office of Inspector General
                              The White House
                              USA.gov

                        Looking for U.S. government information and services?
                Visit USA.gov