Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security Announced

This morning, the Obama Administration released the first-ever U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. President Obama has signed an Executive Order to implement the plan, which “will accelerate and institutionalize efforts across the government to advance women’s participation in preventing conflict and keeping peace.”

This historic step forward formally recognizes the value of women’s contribution to the peace process. For the first time, empowering women as peace builders will be a strategic priority of foreign policy.

We know that the cost of war is too often paid by women, who are further marginalized in times of conflict. These same women, however, will often be the first to find solutions, promote reconciliation and ensure that every voice is heard as a country rebuilds.

More than 13 years ago, we held one of our earliest conferences in Belfast, where we learned from Inez McCormack and women leaders what it takes to forge peace in the wake of violence. Inez understood, as most women peace activists do, that peace was impossible without dialogue, and nothing would change unless the entire community took ownership in the shared endeavor of building peace.

Since Belfast, we have connected women leading peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo with those who led successful movements in Liberia and South Africa. During the Sexual Violence Institute, keynote speaker Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, said: “There is no peace if there exists violence against women.” Read more.

In Israel, our Peace and Prosperity Program brings the lessons of Northern Irish peacebuilders to young Jewish and Arab women, who are forming community projects to promote peace. Read more.