Civil and Human Rights Coalition Praises Presidential Plan and Executive Order on Women, Peace and Security

Wade
Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human
Rights, issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s U.S.
National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and his executive order
directing agencies to implement the plan:

“The
Leadership Conference applauds President Obama for the release of the
first-ever U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and for
signing an executive order directing agencies to implement the plan. The United
States has been a strong voice for protecting women from sexual- and gender-based
violence in conflict situations around the world and for promoting women’s
participation in peace building. With his executive order, the president will
be better able to hold agencies accountable.  

Despite
strong evidence of the central role women have played in pushing opposing
parties to reach peace agreements — from the Good Friday Agreement in Ireland
to ending the conflict in Liberia — too often, women are marginalized from
formal peace negotiations and the peace building process.  Yet it is often
women, when included, who seek to address the economic and social needs of
their communities, which are essential for a just and sustainable peace. 
With this executive order, just as he did in 2009 with his endorsement of
ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against
Women, President Obama is showing strong support for advancing the rights of
women.

 The
president’s plan will further empower and embolden courageous women in countries around the world – including the
recent winners of the Nobel Peace Prize — who tirelessly work to prevent and
end conflicts.”