#aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aada ,,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 #bjag4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,around the world1 women remain under-represented in conflict prevention1 conflict resolution1 and post-conflict peace building efforts4 7#b7 ,women in conflict-affected regions have 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 decisionmaking processes4 7#c7 ,research suggests that peace negotiations are more likely to succeed and to result in durable peace agreements when women participate in the peace process4 #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 participation1 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 overseas 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 one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and again four years thereafter1 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 decisionmaking institutions2 and 7#b7 include specific and measurable goals1 benchmarks1 performance metrics1 timetables1 and monitoring and evaluation plans to ensure the accountability and effectiveness of all policies and initiatives carried out under the strategy4 7b7 ,specific plans for departments and 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 ,coordination ,the ,president should promote the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention1 in coordination and consultation with international partners1 including1 as appropriate1 multilateral organizations1 stakeholders1 and other relevant international organizations1 particularly in situations in which the direct engagement of the ,united ,states ,government is not appropriate or advisable4 7d7 ,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 encourage increased 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 analysis1 as appropriate1 to improve program design and targeting2 and 7#h7 conduct assessments that include the perspectives of women regarding 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 may establish guidelines or take other steps to ensure overseas ,united ,states personnel of the ,department of ,state or the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 as the case may be1 consult with appropriate stakeholders1 including local women1 youth1 ethnic1 and religious minorities1 and other politically under-represented or marginalized populations1 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 ,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 ,not later than #a year after the date of the first submission of a strategy required under section #e1 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 committees on existing1 enhanced1 or newly established training carried out pursuant to section #f4 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 set forth in section #d2 and 7#d7 describes the existing1 enhanced1 or 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 ,foreign ,relations1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,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 7#c7 ,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 efforts4 ,passed the ,senate ,august #c1 #bjag4,secretary