U.S. Women, Peace, and Security Congressional Report 2021

This U.S. Women, Peace, and Security Congressional Report is the first report on the U.S. Department of State’s ongoing implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Strategy. This report covers Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020. To view the second report which covers Fiscal Year 2021, please visit U.S. Women Peace and Security Congressional Report 2022.

When women can meaningfully participate in preventing, mediating, and resolving conflict and countering terrorism, this can lead to stable and lasting peace, including in conflict-affected areas – a central tenant of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The United States recognizes the tremendous, positive impact women have in informal and formal decision-making processes. As such, WPS is essential and central to achieving U.S. foreign policy goals.

Pursuant to the Women, Peace, and Security Act  of 2017, this public report evaluates the State Department’s progress in advancing the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security  in fiscal years (FY) 2019 and 2020, including the impact of U.S. diplomatic efforts and foreign assistance programs. Deriving from new metrics in the U.S. Department of State’s Plan to Implement the WPS Strategy, this report marks the first time that the Department has led a data-driven monitoring, evaluation, and learning exercise on its WPS efforts.​

With more than 200 missions around the world, the Department’s diplomats are uniquely positioned to partner with women leaders to forge peace, respond to conflict, and counterterrorism. Drawing on policy advocacy, public diplomacy, internal operations, and foreign assistance, the Department leveraged a range of diplomatic tools in FY 2019 and FY 2020 to advance women’s leadership in multiple areas, from countering violent extremism to preventing and responding to gender-based violence.

Because no country can alone realize the transformative potential of WPS, the Department also strengthened the capacity of partner governments, supported women-led civil society organizations, and pursued multilateral diplomacy to bolster international support for WPS. Notably, the department built and refined internal coordination systems, enhanced the evidence base for our foreign policy and assistance, and updated policy, operational, and training tools for the Department’s WPS goals.