House Foreign Affairs Committee OKs Noem’s Women, Peace, and Security Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Foreign Affairs Committee today approved Rep. Kristi Noem’s Women, Peace, and Security Act (H.R.5332). This bipartisan legislation would require the U.S. to develop a comprehensive strategy to increase and strengthen women’s participation in peace negotiations and conflict prevention globally as well as ensure accountability to Congress. With the committee’s approval, H.R.5332 is expected to be considered by the full House later this year.
“Particularly in areas where increased stability creates greater security for the United States, we must make sure the work we are doing produces lasting results,” said Rep. Noem. “This legislation is but one instrument in a toolbox our military and diplomatic leaders can use when looking to produce long-term peace. Critically, it includes detailed accountability mechanisms that I’m hopeful will help yield more sustainable outcomes during future conflict resolution and peace negotiation processes.”
Research shows peace agreement is 35 percent more likely to last at least 15 years when women are involved. While some work has been done to include women at the negotiating table, this legislation would require a focused strategy with greater congressional oversight.
Rep. Noem introduced H.R.5332 in May 2016 alongside cosponsors Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY). Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
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