WPS
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Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)
"We know that wherever the rights of women and girls are under threat, so too is democracy, peace, and stability…Decades of research confirm [that] the status of women and the stability of nations are inextricably linked. When women's human rights are protected and women have the chance to fully participate at decision making tables, societies are more secure, militaries are more effective, and peace [is] longer lasting."
-Jennifer Klein, Director of the Gender Policy Council at the White House and Special Assistant to the President
Empowering Peace with Inclusive Leadership
DPPA - Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
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Nothing About Us Without Us
Women must be included in all leadership teams and actions at all stages of conflict and crisis. As half the population of the world, women are disproportionately affected by conflicts and are a necessary part of lasting solutions.
One Global Community
The WPS community includes over 100 countries and numerous governmental and civil organizations, including the UN and NATO. The UN and NATO are separate organizations that collaborate closely on a common goal - international peace and security. They work together to address global challenges and maintain stability. The WPS community has an additional goal, which is to fully integrate women into that collaboration at all levels of leadership and cultivate their meaningful participation. This ensures a more comprehensive approach to peace and security.
UN - United Nations
NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Transforming Tension into Peaceful Solutions
Women's roles in de-escalating conflict and creating peace has been proven many times across history. Consider three recent examples.
  • In the Philippines, "Muslim women - trained and helped by UN women - conducted negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. A year later, they managed to put an end to one of the longest conflicts in the world - nearly 40 years!"
-Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, remarks at the WPS Roundtable on July 9, 2024
  • In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a 'grandmother' negotiator halted violence and freed hostages in one of Africa's most war-torn regions."
-Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, remarks at the WPS Roundtable on July 9, 2024
  • In Columbia, women were integral in ending the longest armed conflict in the western hemisphere of the world.
However, the new Women, Peace, and Security initiatives require the necessary human resources and financial resources to be actionable and avoid becoming nothing more than good intentions.
The Time Is Now
"Bringing women on board is not only a women's rights issue. It brings benefits to the whole of society and to our collective security. It's not about waiting for the time when you can afford focusing on women, peace, and security, or gender equality for that matter, or empowering women," she added. "You become stronger because you focus on those points, not when you afford them."
-Icelandic Foreign Minister, Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir
Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir addresses the Women, Peace, and Security reception organized by the US Department of State, on July 9, 2024. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
For Women to Lead
"[In] Norway, we think that the only way you can have a sustainable peace is really also to also include women in the peace process."
-KÅRE AAS Ambassador of Norway to the United States
A Fighting Chance

1

Technology
Technological advancements play a crucial role in empowering soldiers, enabling them to contribute more effectively to peace and security efforts.

2

Equal Access
Ensuring equal access to technological resources and training for women in defense is essential for their full participation and leadership in the field.

3

Fit for Purpose
Female soldiers in the Ukrainian War are using ill-fitting men's gear - vests, boots, uniforms, helmets - which compromises their safety and effectiveness.
Excerpt from the Women, Peace, and Security Roundtable discussion on July 9, 2024, part of the UN 2024 Global Summit
Total Defense Needs Women
"Warfare today is conducted in multiple domains—cybersecurity, lawfare, in economic realms, in disinformation - that's why we talk more and more about total defense. We talk about resilience - about society's ability to resist these attacks - to stay standing and to recover and rebuild. All of these domains have women fully represented and fully impacted, and responding adequately in all these domains requires women fully engaged…This is about completing our team."
-Eric Nelson, former US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina; current Associate Director of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies speaking during the NATO WPS summit in July 9, 2024.
Global Leaders Unite
"As the reality of women and girls around the world grows increasingly hostile, I am proud that our alliance continues to advance the WPS agenda exhibiting our shared values." -Tanja Fajon, Foreign Minister of Slovenia
"You cannot do justice for women without women in justice." -Alina Gorghi, Minister of Justice for Romania
"We see that women and girls these days face declining safety and security globally…We cannot let them down…Their situation may sometimes seem hopeless, but it is our collective duty to keep acting - ACTING - for them." -Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium
Sources
NATO Summit’s Women, Peace, and Security Roundtable
What is "Women, Peace, and Security?"
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance between 32 member states that signed a treaty committed to the principle of collective defense.
The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.
Women in International Security is a global network dedicated to promoting the leadership and the professional empowerment of women in the field of International peace and security.
NATO Policy on Women, Peace and Security Policy
Glossary