Noem, Schakowsky, Royce and Engel Work to Ensure Women Have Role in Peace Negotiations

Press Release

Reps. Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) as well as House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) today introduced the Women, Peace, and Security Act. This bipartisan legislation would require the U.S. to develop a comprehensive strategy to increase and strengthen women's participation in peace negotiations and conflict prevention globally.

"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," said Rep. Noem. "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."

"Women must play a more prominent role in building peace around the globe," said Rep. Schakowsky. "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. 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."

"As a recent Foreign Affairs Committee hearing profiled, when women are at the peace negotiating table, success is more likely," said Chairman Royce. "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. I am pleased to cosponsor this bill to prioritize women's participation in ending conflicts and promoting peace."

"Nearly five years ago, the Obama Administration launched its landmark National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security to help ensure that as we work around the world to end conflict and advance stability, women are a major part of the process. Women can play an outsized role in preventing crises and building peace, so it made sense to develop a policy that included women every step of the way. Now it makes sense to make the Obama Administration's courageous strategy a permanent part of our foreign policy," said Ranking Member Engel. "I want to thank Representative Schakowsky, who has been calling for a measure like this for many years, and Representative Noem for her bipartisan leadership. I look forward to working with Chairman Royce to advance this bill in the Foreign Affairs Committee."

Research shows that peace agreement is 35 percent more likely to last at least 15 years when women are involved. While some work has been done to include women at the negotiating table, this legislation would require a focused strategy with greater congressional oversight. Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have introduced similar legislation in the Senate.