#aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #eccb ,,an ,,act ,to ensure that the ,united ,states promotes the meaningful participation of women in mediation and negotiation processes seeking to prevent1 mitigate1 or resolve violent conflict4 #a4 ,short ,title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,women1 ,peace1 and ,security ,act of #bjaf4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,around the world1 women remain under-represented in conflict prevention1 conflict resolution1 and post-conflict peace building efforts4 7#b7 ,despite the historic under-representation of women in conflict resolution processes1 women in conflict-affected regions have nevertheless achieved significant success in-- 7,a7 moderating violent extremism2 7,b7 countering terrorism2 7,c7 resolving disputes through nonviolent mediation and negotiation2 and 7,d7 stabilizing societies by enhancing the effectiveness of security services1 peacekeeping efforts1 institutions1 and decision-making processes4 7#c7 ,research shows that-- 7,a7 peace negotiations are more likely to end in a peace agreement when women's groups play an influential role in the negotiation process2 7,b7 once reached1 a peace agreement is #ce percent more likely to last at least #ae years if women have participated in the negotiation process2 and 7,c7 when women meaningfully participate1 peace negotiations are more likely to address the underlying causes of the conflict1 leading to more sustainable outcomes4 #c4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and conflict resolution processes helps to promote more inclusive and democratic societies and is critical to the long-term stability of countries and regions2 7#b7 the political participation and leadership of women in fragile environments1 particularly during democratic transitions1 is critical to sustaining lasting democratic institutions2 and 7#c7 the ,united ,states should be a global leader in promoting the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention1 management1 and resolution1 and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts4 #d4 ,statement of ,policy ,it shall be the policy of the ,united ,states to promote the meaningful participation of women in all aspects of conflict prevention1 management1 and resolution1 and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts1 reinforced through diplomatic efforts and programs that-- 7#a7 integrate the perspectives and interests of affected women into conflict-prevention activities and strategies2 7#b7 encourage partner governments to adopt plans to improve the meaningful participation of women in peace and security processes and decision-making institutions2 7#c7 promote the physical safety1 economic security1 and dignity of women and girls2 7#d7 support the equal access of women to aid distribution mechanisms and services2 7#e7 collect and analyze gender data for the purpose of developing and enhancing early warning systems of conflict and violence2 7#f7 adjust policies and programs to improve outcomes in gender equality and the empowerment of women2 and 7#g7 monitor1 analyze1 and evaluate the efforts related to each strategy submitted under section #e and the impact of such efforts4 #e4 ,united ,states ,strategy to ,promote the ,participation of ,women in ,conflict ,prevention and ,peace ,building 7a7 ,requirement ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjag1 ,october #a1 #bjbb1 and ,october #a1 #bjbg1 the ,president1 in consultation with the heads of the relevant ,federal departments and agencies1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and make publicly available a single government-wide strategy1 to be known as the ,women1 ,peace1 and ,security ,strategy1 that provides a detailed description of how the ,united ,states intends to fulfill the policy objectives in section #d4 ,the strategy shall-- 7#a7 support and be aligned with plans developed by other countries to improve the meaningful participation of women in peace and security processes1 conflict prevention1 peace building1 transitional processes1 and decision-making institutions2 and 7#b7 include specific and measurable goals1 benchmarks1 performance metrics1 timetables1 and monitoring and evaluation plans1 to ensure the accountability and effectiveness of all policies and initiatives carried out under the strategy4 7b7 ,specific plans for agencies ,each strategy under subsection 7a7 shall include a specific implementation plan from each of the relevant ,federal departments and agencies that describes-- 7#a7 the anticipated contributions of the department or agency1 including technical1 financial1 and in-kind contributions1 to implement the strategy2 and 7#b7 the efforts of the department or agency to ensure that the policies and initiatives carried out pursuant to the strategy are designed to achieve maximum impact and long-term sustainability4 7c7 ,department of state implementation ,within each relevant bureau of the ,department of ,state1 the ,secretary of ,state shall task the current ,principal ,deputy ,assistant ,secretary with the responsibility for the implementation of the strategy under subsection 7a7 and the specific implementation plan for the ,department under subsection 7b71 with respect to the roles and responsibilities of such bureau4 ,the ,principal ,deputy ,assistant ,secretaries tasked with such responsibility shall meet1 at least twice a year1 to review the implementation of the strategy and the plan and to contribute to the report under section #h7;b74 7d7 ,coordination ,the ,president should promote the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention1 in coordination and consultation with international partners1 including multilateral organizations1 stakeholders1 and other relevant international organizations1 particularly in situations in which the direct engagement of the ,united ,states is not appropriate or advisable4 7e7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,president1 in implementing each strategy submitted under subsection 7a71 should-- 7#a7 provide technical assistance1 training1 and logistical support to female negotiators1 mediators1 peace builders1 and stakeholders2 7#b7 address security-related barriers to the meaningful participation of women2 7#c7 increase the participation of women in existing programs funded by the ,united ,states ,government that provide training to foreign nationals regarding law enforcement1 the rule of law1 or professional military education2 7#d7 support appropriate local organizations1 especially women's peace building organizations2 7#e7 support the training1 education1 and mobilization of men and boys as partners in support of the meaningful participation of women2 7#f7 encourage the development of transitional justice and accountability mechanisms that are inclusive of the experiences and perspectives of women and girls2 7#g7 expand and apply gender analysis to improve program design and targeting2 and 7#h7 conduct assessments that include the perspectives of women before implementing any new initiatives in support of peace negotiations1 transitional justice and accountability1 efforts to counter violent extremism1 or security sector reform4 #f4 ,training ,requirements ,regarding the ,participation of ,women in ,conflict ,prevention and ,peace ,building 7a7 ,foreign service ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in conjunction with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 shall ensure that all appropriate personnel 7including special envoys1 members of mediation or negotiation teams1 relevant members of the civil service or ,foreign ,service1 and contractors7 responsible for or deploying to countries or regions considered to be at risk of1 undergoing1 or emerging from violent conflict obtain training1 as appropriate1 in the following areas1 each of which shall include a focus on women and ensuring meaningful participation by women3 7#a7 ,conflict prevention1 mitigation1 and resolution4 7#b7 ,protecting civilians from violence1 exploitation1 and trafficking in persons4 7#c7 ,international human rights law and international humanitarian law4 7b7 ,department of defense ,the ,secretary of ,defense shall ensure that relevant personnel receive training1 as appropriate1 in the following areas3 7#a7 ,training in conflict prevention1 peace processes1 mitigation1 resolution1 and security initiatives that specifically addresses the importance of meaningful participation by women4 7#b7 ,gender considerations and meaningful participation by women1 including training regarding-- 7,a7 international human rights law and international humanitarian law1 as relevant2 and 7,b7 protecting civilians from violence1 exploitation1 and trafficking in persons4 7#c7 ,effective strategies and best practices for ensuring meaningful participation by women4 #g4 ,consultation and collaboration 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development shall establish guidelines for overseas ,united ,states personnel of the ,department or the ,agency1 as the case may be1 to consult with stakeholders regarding ,united ,states efforts to-- 7#a7 prevent1 mitigate1 or resolve violent conflict2 and 7#b7 enhance the success of mediation and negotiation processes by ensuring the meaningful participation of women4 7b7 ,frequency and scope ,the consultations required under subsection 7a7 shall take place regularly and include a range and representative sample of stakeholders1 including local women1 youth1 ethnic and religious minorities1 and other politically under-represented or marginalized populations4 7c7 ,collaboration and coordination ,the ,secretary of ,state should work with international1 regional1 national1 and local organizations to increase the meaningful participation of women in international peacekeeping operations1 and should promote training that provides international peacekeeping personnel with the substantive knowledge and skills needed to ensure effective physical security and meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and peace building4 #h4 ,reports to ,congress 7a7 ,briefing ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in conjunction with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development and the ,secretary of ,defense1 shall brief the appropriate congressional committees1 not later than #a year after the date of the first submission of a strategy required under section #e1 on-- 7#a7 existing1 enhanced1 and newly established training carried out pursuant to section #f2 and 7#b7 the guidelines established for overseas ,united ,states personnel to engage in consultations with stakeholders1 pursuant to section #g4 7b7 ,report on ,women1 ,peace1 and ,security ,strategy ,not later than #b years after the date of the submission of each strategy required under section #e1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that-- 7#a7 summarizes and evaluates the implementation of such strategy and the impact of ,united ,states diplomatic efforts and foreign assistance programs1 projects1 and activities to promote the meaningful participation of women2 7#b7 describes the nature and extent of the coordination among the relevant ,federal departments and agencies on the implementation of such strategy2 7#c7 outlines the monitoring and evaluation tools1 mechanisms1 and common indicators to assess progress made on the policy objectives in section #d2 and 7#d7 describes the existing1 enhanced1 and newly established training carried out pursuant to section #f4 #i4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,stakeholders ,the term stakeholders means non-governmental and private sector entities engaged in or affected by conflict prevention and stabilization1 peace building1 protection1 security1 transition initiatives1 humanitarian response1 or related efforts1 including-- 7,a7 registered or non-registered nonprofit organizations1 advocacy groups1 business or trade associations1 labor unions1 cooperatives1 credit unions1 relief or development organizations1 community and faith-based organizations1 philanthropic foundations1 and tribal leaders or structures2 7,b7 independent media1 educational1 or research institutions2 and 7,c7 private enterprises1 including international development firms1 banks1 and other financial institutions1 particularly small businesses and businesses owned by women or disadvantaged groups4 7#c7 ,meaningful participation ,the term meaningful participation means safe1 genuine1 and effective access to1 and present and active involvement in the full range of formal or informal processes related to negotiation or mediation with respect to any efforts toward the following3 7,a7 ,conflict prevention4 7,b7 ,resolution or mitigation of1 or transition from1 violent conflict4 7,c7 ,peacekeeping and peace building4 7,d7 ,post-conflict reconstruction1 transition initiatives1 elections1 and governance4 7,e7 ,humanitarian response and recovery4 7#d7 ,relevant ,federal departments and agencies ,the term relevant ,federal departments and agencies means-- 7,a7 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development2 7,b7 the ,department of ,state2 7,c7 the ,department of ,defense2 7,d7 the ,department of ,homeland ,security2 and 7,e7 any other department or agency specified by the ,president for purposes of this ,act4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,november #ae1 #bjaf4;,clerk4