USAID APPROACH
On October 31, 2023, the U.S. government released the updated U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (Strategy). The Strategy was created in response to the complex challenges communities around the world are facing including ongoing conflicts, migration and displacement, the climate crisis, food insecurity, and more. Recognizing that these challenges cannot be solved without the meaningful participation of women, the Strategy establishes a clear roadmap to support women and girls' integral role in building and maintaining global peace and security.
Research shows that the status of women and the stability of nations are inextricably linked: higher levels of equality make countries more prosperous, secure, and democratic. Conversely, lower levels of gender equality result in greater instability, corruption, and conflict. Understanding and addressing the link between gender and conflict will help strengthen U.S. national security. When we invest in gender equity and equality, we invest in sustainable peace, international security, and economic stability.
NATIONAL LINES OF EFFORT
USAID’s actions are organized around the five lines of effort in the Strategy:
- Participation – Seek and support the preparation and meaningful participation of women and girls in civic and political leadership, in informal and formal decision-making processes, and in institutions related to peace and security.
- Protection – Promote the protection of the human rights of women and girls, and prevent and respond to all forms of GBV across the continuum of peace, conflict, and crisis contexts, including conflict-related sexual violence.
- Relief, Response, and Recovery – Prioritize gender-responsive policies and programs to support the safety, participation, and leadership of women and girls in U.S. government responses to conflict, crises, and disasters, and provide safe, equitable access to humanitarian assistance.
- Integration and Institutionalization – Integrate Women, Peace, and Security principles across U.S. policies and programs to strengthen the institutionalization of comprehensive gender analyses and improve gender equality outcomes.
- Partnerships – Encourage partners to mainstream Women, Peace, and Security principles across policies and strategies, and strengthen capacity to improve gender equality in processes and institutions connected to peace and security decision-making.
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR RESULTS
USAID is committed to robust efforts in monitoring, evaluation, and learning to support the implementation of the Strategy and the effective stewardship of taxpayer resources. Demonstrating measurable results, reassessing, and adjusting underperforming programming, and harnessing learning to inform future planning are integral to USAID’s approach to development and humanitarian assistance.
USAID is committed to the work ahead and to continued collaboration with our counterparts in other U.S. government departments and agencies, host governments, civil-society, faith-based organizations, the private sector, and other partners—especially women and girls in countries affected by crisis and conflict—to make progress on this important agenda.
