The Women, Peace, and Security Act at Eight: A Milestone in the US Commitment to Peace

Eight years ago, the United States made history as the first nation in the world to pass a law dedicated to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Signed by President Trump in October 2017, the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 was a product of persistence. It was pushed forward by a coalition of organizations under the United States Civil Society Working Group on Women, Peace and Security. A small group of its members partnered with allies in Congress, determined to give legal force to an agenda that had too often remained aspirational.

These efforts are connected directly to global commitments dating back to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, passed in 2000, which recognized that women are not only disproportionately impacted by conflict but are also critical agents in building peace. Until the US law was signed, progress in this area largely depended on political will. The WPS Act changed that by adding a structure of accountability to WPS implementation in the US. The legislation made the United States the first country to put into statute the belief that peace is stronger and security more lasting when women are meaningfully involved.

Organizations like Our Secure Future (OSF) have played an important role in advancing these commitments, working to bridge policy and practice by ensuring women’s voices are included in governance. Through partnering with leaders, communities, and institutions, OSF helps translate the vision of the WPS Act into tangible strategies that not only promote women’s participation in decision-making but also strengthen global peace and security. Their efforts underscore that lasting stability depends on approaches that involve all stakeholders, making them a vital ally in the broader WPS movement.

Building a Framework for Accountability

The WPS Act required the Executive branch to do more than simply declare support. Within a year, the President had to submit a government-wide Women, Peace, and Security Strategy, updated every four years. Progress reports were mandated every two years, providing an opportunity for Congress and civil society to review actions against promises. This rhythm of strategy and reporting remains the backbone of the law.

The first National Strategy on WPS was released under the Trump Administration in 2019, followed by an updated version in 2023. The next government report to Congress, required by Section 8(b) of the Act, is due no later than October 31, 2025. These deadlines are legal mechanisms designed to guarantee that women’s participation in peace and security remains a priority.

Training has been another cornerstone. Agencies across the defense, diplomatic, and development spectrums were tasked with educating their personnel on how to integrate women into peacebuilding and security initiatives. Reporting requirements extend across departments, knitting together a government-wide effort. The law created a culture of measuring progress, something that allows both adaptation and improvement over time.

The success of the Women, Peace, and Security Act is also clear in how it strengthens U.S. foreign policy and defense. Dedicated advisors helped advance America’s security objectives overseas by training personnel on the vital roles women play in conflict and peacebuilding, conducting demographic analyses to improve operational effectiveness, and taking concrete steps to reduce sexual violence and counter extremist narratives. These low-cost, high-impact initiatives costing less than $3 million over the last four years have not only made U.S. troops safer on the ground, but also reinforced America’s leadership in promoting stability and preventing trafficking worldwide.

The Act has also become a strategic asset in military planning and diplomacy. Through integration of WPS perspectives into operations, the U.S. can better anticipate challenges, engage local communities, and build stronger alliances with partners. In practice, this means American missions abroad are not only more effective but also more credible, as they demonstrate a commitment to addressing the real dynamics that drive both conflict and peace.

The Present Crossroads

Following the reorganization of the State Department in spring 2025, many offices, including the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI), were shuttered. S/GWI led the State Department’s efforts to empower women and girls in U.S. diplomacy, as well as coordinated WPS implementation and technical training across US government agencies. 

While it is yet unclear how these responsibilities will be devolved across the Department, the statute itself has continued to keep the agenda alive as reporting deadlines, training requirements, and strategic updates remain mandatory. This was underscored by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose announcement of anticipated changes to the Pentagon’s Women, Peace and Security program nevertheless acknowledged that the Department of Defense would continue to meet the minimum requirements set out by the law. 

The bipartisan Women, Peace and Security Congressional Caucus, whose establishment was spearheaded by Our Secure Future, has further underscored this point, signaling that the issue cannot simply be erased by administrative changes. It is a reminder that legislation matters. The WPS Act ensures that WPS policy goals and reporting requirements remain in place, enabling the government to respond to conflict in a comprehensive, effective, and responsive manner.

What the Next Chapter Demands

This year’s celebration sets the stage for the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security on October 31st. The timing underscores how the United States continues to shape the global conversation. Many nations are watching to see how the first country to legislate WPS will continue to use one of its most effective tools for peace. 

Evidence over the past two decades has shown that peace agreements are more likely to endure when women participate in negotiations. Their involvement broadens the issues on the table, incorporates the needs of wider communities, and strengthens the legitimacy of outcomes. These are hard-earned lessons that are the cornerstone of the US legislation and policy framework on Women, Peace, and Security. 

Eight years on, the US Women, Peace and Security Act remains a living experiment in how to translate principles into policy. It has embedded accountability into law and created space for women’s voices in peace processes and security matters. Its anniversary is a recognition of the agenda’s evergreen priorities and a call to action.