U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) introduced legislation on Thursday that would require a comprehensive strategy to expand the role of women in global peace negotiations and conflict prevention talks.
The bipartisan Women, Peace and Security Act, H.R. 5332, would provide congressional oversight to ensure that women are fairly represented in U.S. negotiations.
“Conflict knows no gender just as peace should know no gender, and still, women are underrepresented when it comes to preventing conflicts and building peace,” Noem said. “The bipartisan Women, Peace and Security Act ensures, through meaningful congressional oversight, that women have a seat at the table during peace negotiations. Especially at a time when the world is so volatile, I’m grateful to my colleagues for working to advance this tool, which we’re hopeful will produce more sustainable outcomes during future conflict resolution and peace negotiation processes.”
A study by the nonprofit group Inclusive Security found that a peace agreement is 35 percent more likely to last 15 years when women are involved in negotiations.
U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a cosponsor of the bill, said that peace is more likely when women have a seat at the negotiating table.
“From Northern Ireland to Africa to Asia, women have played pivotal roles in ending a number of modern-day conflicts — yet they continue to be underrepresented in peace negotiations,” Royce said. “I am pleased to cosponsor this bill to prioritize women’s participation in ending conflicts and promoting peace.”
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), another cosponsor of the bill, said that women must play a more prominent role in building peace around the world.
“All over the world women are the victims of war and violent conflict, but are all too often shut out from the peace negotiation process,” Schakowsky said. “We have seen time and again that women’s active involvement leads to lasting peace agreements that are more stable and even-handed. This bipartisan legislation would empower women by giving them a seat at the negotiating table, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed in the peace process.”