President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Oct. 6 that U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) championed to make women more instrumental in peace negotiations.
The Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 will make the participation of women in peace negotiations and conflict resolution around the world a permanent fixture of U.S. foreign policy that is subject to congressional oversight.
“When it comes to peacekeeping and mediation, it just makes sense for women to have a seat at the table,” Capito, who introduced the Senate version of the bill with U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), said.
Women who play an active role in peacekeeping negotiations have achieved success in curbing violent extremism, countering terrorism and resolving disputes through non-violent mediation, the bill that was signed into law said.
“We live in an extremely volatile and dangerous world, and our national security often relies on the success of ongoing peace negotiations,” Noem said. “Women have proven to be influential forces in producing lasting peace within communities, yet are often underrepresented at the negotiating table.”
Peace agreements brokered with involvement from women are found to be 35 percent more likely to last at least 15 years, according to research by the advocacy group Inclusive Security. However, women made up just 2 percent of mediators and 9 percent of negotiators in official peace talks between 1992 and 2011, a 2012 report by UN Women found.
“We are natural and effective problem-solvers,” Capito said, “and we should have the opportunity to be more involved in these critical international discussions.”
Under the law, the U.S. government will work toward greater participation by women in peacekeeping efforts by ensuring that special envoys, members of mediation or negotiation teams and other personnel are trained in conflict prevention and resolution, protecting civilians from violence and international human rights law.
“I’m grateful to President Trump for signing this important legislation and hopeful that with these reforms, as well as the long-term thinking and accountability this legislation requires, we can produce more sustainable outcomes during future conflict resolution and peace negotiation processes,” Noem said.