UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
America’s first NAP was for the period 2011-2015, the second NAP covered 2016-2018, and the third and current NAP was launched in 2019, to run until 2023.
Objectives of the 2019-2023 NAP:
There are three strategic 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. The plan is predominantly focused on work overseas, to the exclusion of a focus on national institutions. The US helped to draft three of the related resolutions to 1325, demonstrating a commitment to the agenda.
The USA spends the most money globally on their military, are the largest arms supplier, and are often involved in military interventions abroad. They are, however, also a large aid contributor, often investing in women and girls’ health and education and contributing to initiatives introduced to provide accountability for gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies.
Civil Society involvement in development of the NAP:
The NAP makes passing reference to civil society, noting that the NAP’s success will in part depend on contributions from non-governmental actors including civil society; it appears civil society was not consulted in its formulation.
UN Peacekeeping Statistics:
As of September 2023, the USA contributes 27 military and police personnel to UN Peacekeeping Missions. Of these 27, only 1 is a woman (in position of Expert on Mission).
Women in peacekeeping:
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.
Sources
US National Action Plan: WPS_Strategy_10_October2019.pdf (state.gov)
Contribution of Uniformed Personnel to UN by Country, Mission, and Personnel Type (Sept 2023): 05-Missions Detailed By Country
