[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Casey, Ms. Snowe, 
        Mrs. Shaheen, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Brown of Massachusetts):
  S. 3477. A bill to ensure that the United States promotes women's 
meaningful inclusion and participation in mediation and negotiation 
processes undertaken in order to prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent 
conflict and implements the United States National Action Plan on 
Women, Peace, and Security; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Women, 
Peace, and Security Act of 2012 with Senators Hutchison, Casey, Snowe, 
Shaheen, Gillibrand and Scott Brown. A companion bill was also 
introduced in the House of Representatives today by Representatives 
Carnahan, Berman and Schakowsky.
  This important legislation will help codify the United States 
National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, which was released 
by the Obama administration in December, 2011, to help further ongoing 
U.S. initiatives regarding women, peace, and security and the 
objectives of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, UNSCR 
1325.
  UNSCR 1325 calls on all countries to establish national action plans 
aimed at promoting the inclusion of women in conflict resolution 
efforts and peace-building institutions, such as police services.
  This is essential because women and girls are disproportionately 
impacted by violence and armed conflict. But at the same time, we know 
that women are critical to helping prevent violence before it occurs 
and resolving crises once they begin. Furthermore, evidence shows that 
integrating women into peace-building processes helps promote democracy 
and ensure the likelihood of a peace process succeeding.
  With the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, the U.S. 
joins the more than 37 other countries who have released similar 
National Action Plans recognizing women's contributions to peace 
building and committing to support women's inclusion in all aspects of 
peace processes.
  As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on 
International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy, 
and Global Women's Issues, I am proud of the Obama Administration for 
undertaking this important initiative, and remain committed to 
continuing to promote the full inclusion of women in all aspects of 
peace-building efforts.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important 
legislation.

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