S. 1141, the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017

Floor Situation

On Monday, September 25, 2017, the House will consider S. 1141, the Women, Peace, and Security Act, under suspension of the rules. The bill was introduced on May 16, 2017, by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and passed the Senate by voice vote on August 3, 2017.

Summary

S. 1141 requires the President to submit a government-wide “Women, Peace, and Security Strategy” within one year of enactment, and again four years later, describing how the U.S. will promote and strengthen women’s participation in peace negotiations and conflict prevention overseas.

The bill also requires the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Department of Defense to train personnel in matters related to the President’s strategy. Additionally, the bill encourages the State Department and USAID to establish guidelines by which overseas personnel will consult with stakeholders regarding efforts to resolve conflict and promote women’s participation in the mediation and negotiation process. Finally, the bill requires the State Department to brief the appropriate congressional committees on training regarding the participation of women in conflict resolution and requires the President to evaluate and report to Congress on the strategy’s impact.

Background

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, between 1992 and 2011, women represented fewer than 4% of signatories to peace agreements and 9% of negotiators[1]. Additionally, in 2015, only 3% of UN military peacekeepers and 10% of UN personnel were women[2].  Yet research shows that peace negotiations are more likely to succeed and to result in durable peace agreements when women participate in the peace process.[3]

In 2011, President Obama instituted a national action plan to promote the inclusion of women in advancing peace and security in areas with significant conflict[4]. S. 1141 similarly integrates these objectives into a U.S.-wide plan to promote women’s participation in future peace and security efforts.

According to the bill’s sponsor, “Women and girls are disproportionally affected by violence and armed conflict around the world, yet far too often they are under-represented at the negotiation table. This bipartisan legislation makes ending violence against women and girls a top diplomatic, development, and foreign assistance priority, empowering more women and allowing them to more effectively affect change in our world.”[5]

Similar legislation (H.R. 2484) passed the House by voice vote on June 20, 2017.  

 Cost

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the total cost of implementing the legislation would be less than $500,000 over the 2018-2022 reporting period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.  

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Dominique Yantko with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 3-1555.