Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to terminate the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) program, a bipartisan initiative established during the Trump administration to enhance women’s roles in diplomatic and national security efforts. Hegseth criticized the program, labeling it as a “woke” and “divisive” initiative that distracts military personnel from their primary combat-related missions. He emphasized his intention to enact the minimum requirements of the WPS program mandated by law before fighting to eliminate it in the next budget cycle, expressing disdain with a statement of “GOOD RIDDANCE WPS!”
The WPS initiative, signed into law by President Trump in 2017, aimed to ensure women’s participation in peace negotiations and conflict resolution. It was initially crafted by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem while she served in the House and co-sponsored by Marco Rubio during his Senate tenure. Under the Trump administration, the strategy outlined specific measures to fulfill the program’s goals and was celebrated as a significant legislative achievement for women’s inclusion in socio-political processes.
While Hegseth’s announcement marks a considerable shift, neither Noem nor Rubio indicated plans to abolish similar initiatives within the Homeland Security and State Departments. They have previously underscored the importance of WPS, with Rubio highlighting its status as the world’s first comprehensive law focusing on the protection and empowerment of women. The responses from the Defense Department, DHS, State Department, and the White House regarding Hegseth’s move have been pending. This development raises questions about the future of women-focused initiatives within the federal framework.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
