The Department of Defense (DOD), under the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017, is working to increase women’s participation in peace and security processes and integrate gender considerations into national security and US foreign policy decisions. These efforts focus on strengthening deterrence and campaigning, reinforcing alliances and partnerships, and developing a more capable, prepared, and resilient military force. These initiatives reflect the recognition that women’s contributions in the arena of conflict prevention, resolution, management, and relief are of crucial importance in national security matters.

Introduction to Women, Peace, and Security

From promoting women’s meaningful participation throughout the Total Force to making sure operational commanders have access to institutional resources, staff, and tools that improve their understanding of the civilian environment, the DOD WPS Implementation Plan (WPS IP) changes the Department’s approach to WPS. Under the 2022 National Defense Strategy, the 2023 US Strategy and National Action Plan on WPS, and the WPS Act (Public Law 115-68), the Department will systematically enhance our approach to WPS, as outlined in the DOD WPS IP. US defense and corporate agencies are prompting women’s security plans. 

It outlines DOD’s responsibilities for assisting the US government in implementing WPS and offers department-wide guidance for institutionalizing and putting WPS into practice. The Department’s WPS requirements and its WPS IP are implemented under the direction of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)). The USD(P) will identify current governance mechanisms to offer supervision, direction, and advice for carrying out the WPS IP in collaboration with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and other pertinent components.

Goals of the DOD implementation plan

In addition to further defining DOD’s WPS roles under its mission, authorities, and resources, the 2024 DOD WIP incorporates lessons learned from the four years of implementing the 2020 DOD WPS Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan. The Department’s efforts to institutionalize the people, processes, and procedures that allow WPS to be operationalized across our operations, activities, and investments are continued in the updated WPS Defense Objectives. Along with reaffirming the Department’s support for the US Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality and the US Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, the Intermediate Defense Objectives and related tasks also include the Independent Review Commission’s (IRC) approved recommendations on sexual assault in the military. The US defense strategy is powerful in this case. 

What are the key focus areas?

To support the Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan (SFIP) implementation, the Department will make use of the national Lines of Effort (LOEs), the Women, Peace, and Security principles, and the DOD equities. Based on two decades of research, study, and experience worldwide by allies and partners, international and non-governmental organizations, and civil society, the WPS Principles column represents the fundamental ideas that support the US WPS Act and Strategy. The broad WPS principles are condensed into particular actions and activities that help achieve the goals specified in the national WPS Strategy LOEs column.

The DOD Equities Supporting WPS Principles column highlights Department initiatives where years of WPS implementation have identified best practices, programs, and subjects where WPS can have the biggest impact. The way the Department sets up, prepares, and equips its forces is inextricably linked to its capacity to carry out the WPS Strategy. The Department should exemplify and put into practice the WPS values it asks other partner countries to follow to maintain credibility and gain influence elsewhere. 

The US Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency must continue to set an example and promote women’s meaningful involvement in its workforce in areas where it promotes women’s meaningful participation in partner nation military. The Department must continue to support the WPS values that are now represented in its workforce, even as it urges partner countries to address gender-based violence in the security sector and during deployments.

Challenges and opportunities

The National Defense Strategy (NDS) outlines a more intricate and interwoven global security landscape marked by a rise in the coercive and malicious actions of rivals as well as transnational threats. Women’s rights are being suppressed by authoritarian governments, and enemies are becoming increasingly skilled at using gender dynamics to increase their power and spread divisive ideologies. The rules-based international order is in danger from actors who violate human rights, especially those of women. Furthermore, pandemics, climate change, and other transboundary issues worsen already-existing gender inequality, having catastrophic effects on the long-term security of people, communities, and governments. Importantly, there is still a clear and empirical correlation between women’s position and national security; whereas gender equality and equity promote prosperity, security, and democracy, persistent gender disparity fuels instability, corruption, and violence.