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1 1 (March 15, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govekxg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Informing the Iegitive debate since 1914 S March 15, 2023 Women, Peace, and Security: Global Context and U.S. Policy In 2000, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. The resolution calls on U.N. member states to, among other things, take steps to increase women's participation in peace processes and to protect women from sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Resolution 1325 and nine follow-up resolutions adopted in subsequent years collectively provide a global foundation for what is generally referred to as Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), a broad policy framework that supports the participation and full involvement of women in all efforts to achieve peace and security. The United States played a lead role in the adoption of Resolution 1325, and there has generally been broad support in Congress for WPS. The 115th Congress enacted the Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017 (WPS Act; P.L. 115-68), which aims to integrate WPS objectives into U.S. foreign policy. Members of the 118th Congress may continue to conduct oversight of WPS Act implementation, monitor U.S. funding for WPS activities, and assess global efforts to implement Resolution 1325. Background and Context Role of Gender Inequality. Historically, women have been generally viewed as victims or passive observers in security situations rather than as active participants or leaders. This reflects the broader exclusion of many women from full participation in their families, communities, and governments. In some societies, long-standing power imbalances between men and women have led to pervasive gender stereotypes and behaviors that contribute to discrimination. Gender imbalance is especially prevalent in peace talks and post-conflict resolution processes, where men are disproportionately represented at all levels. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, from 1992 to 2019 women represented 13% of negotiators, 6% of mediators, and 6% of signatories in peace processes. Links Between Women's Well-Being and Security. Many experts and policymakers have increasingly recognized a growing body of research which finds that women can play an important role in creating and sustaining peace and security. Studies have found that when women participate in peace processes, they are more likely than men to build coalitions, speak up for marginalized groups, and promote human rights and national reconciliation. Women's involvement can also lead to more sustained and peaceful outcomes; for instance, the United Nations reports that peace agreements are 20% more likely to last at least two years, and 35% more likely to last for more than 15 years, when women are involved. Some experts have also recognized the importance of protecting women from SGBV in conflict and post-conflict settings. Such violence negatively and disproportionately affects women's health, safety, and community participation. In 2021, the United Nations identified nearly 3,300 cases of conflict-related sexual violence (800 more than in 2020). For every documented case, experts estimate 10-20 are unreported. The U.N. Security Councl and WPS Adoption of UNSC Resolutions. Resolution 1325 calls on governments and organizations to take measures to address several issues, including (1) improving women's participation in all institutions and in conflict and post- conflict mechanisms; (2) protecting women and girls from SGBV, particularly in conflict and humanitarian situations; (3) preventing SGBV, including by strengthening women's rights under international law and supporting local women's peace initiatives; and (4) advancing relief and recovery efforts to include a gender perspective. In 2004, the UNSC issued a Presidential Statement encouraging member states to develop national action plans (NAPs) to implement Resolution 1325. (Over 100 countries created NAPs, including the United States. The scope and contents of NAPS vary depending on the country.) Between 2008 and 2021, the UNSC adopted nine additional resolutions that affirmed and expanded on Resolution 1325. Of these, Resolution 1820, adopted in 2008, was the first UNSC resolution to recognize sexual violence as a weapon and tactic of war and to note that rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute a war crime. UNSC Debates. Most UNSC resolutions addressing WPS have been adopted by consensus; however, negotiations have become increasingly contentious, leading some observers to question the future of WPS in the Council. For example, despite agreeing to previous resolutions on WPS, Russia and China (two of the five permanent members of the UNSC, or P-5) continue to question whether the Council is the appropriate forum for addressing gender issues in the U.N. system. Other countries, including the United States (also a P-5 member), have at times objected to certain issues. Resolution 2467 (2019) on sexual violence in conflict became the first WPS resolution to be adopted without consensus. China and Russia abstained due to concerns about the resolution potentially expanding the Council's WPS activities through a new working group. In addition, the United States threatened to veto the resolution because initial drafts included text on sexual and reproductive health that U.S. officials believed could imply access to abortion. (The language was removed and the United States voted for the resolution.) Global Implementation and Challenges Implementation. Experts largely agree that while there have been some successes, implementation of Resolution

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