United States of America
Introduction
America's current NAP launched in 2019, to run until 2023
Objectives
Three main objectives
- Women are more prepared and increasingly able to participate in efforts that promote stable and lasting peace;
- Women and girls are safer, better protected, and have equal access to government and private assistance programs, including from the United States, international partners, and host nations; and
- United States and partner governments have improved institutionalization and capacity to ensure WPS efforts are sustainable and long-lasting.
And four ‘lines of effort’
- Seek and support the preparation and meaningful participation of women around the world in decision-making processes related to conflict and crises;
- Promote the protection of women and girls’ human rights; access to humanitarian assistance; and safety from violence, abuse, and exploitation around the world;
- Adjust United States international programs to improve outcomes in equality for, and the empowerment of, women; and
- Encourage partner governments to adopt policies, plans, and capacity to improve the meaningful participation of women in processes connected to peace and security and decision-making institutions.
Commentary
The U.S. National Action Plan focuses largely on gender integration, equality and empowerment in peace and security. While men and women tend to share the same legal status and rights in the U.S., they are aware that this is not a universal trend, hence a large focus overseas. They helped to draft three of the related resolutions to 1325, demonstrating a commitment to the agenda.
However, with recent actions including a firmer approach on the 'Global Gag' rule and pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, these may have unintended consequences for women and girls' security worldwide, particularly as USAID plays a particularly large role in International Development through investing in women and girls' health, education, and economic opportunity to create conditions for stable societies and lasting peace.
Civil society
The NAP takes only passing notice of civil society, noting that its success will in part depend on non governmental actors including civil society contributing, but it appears civil society was not consulted in its formulation.
Link to SecurityWomen
The NAP calls for the increased participation of women in ‘military processes’ and notes that the US should help partner governments increase female representation in their law enforcement, military, and peacekeeping forces, although the same is not said for the US’s own security institutions.
Peacekeeping Statistics
The US currently contributes 31 peacekeepers, 28 men and 3 women
Sources
http://www.peacewomen.org/sites/default/files/WPS-Strategy-FINAL-PDF-6.11.19.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_UN_peacekeepers_contributed
