Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) joined Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) today for House Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) signing of S. 1141, the Women, Peace, and Security Act.  The bipartisan bill requires the U.S. to develop a comprehensive strategy to increase and strengthen women’s participation in peace negotiations and conflict prevention.  As Chairman Royce said on the House floor, “Simply put, when women are at the negotiating table, peace is more likely.  Compelling research shows that peace agreements are more likely to be reached – and to last – when women’s groups are meaningfully involved.”  This has played out from Liberia, to Northern Ireland, to Colombia, where women’s groups have pushed for practical solutions to de-escalate and resolve conflict.  The bill now heads to the president’s desk to become law after passing both the House and the Senate with overwhelming support. 

NOTE: In 2015, under the leadership of Chairman Royce, the House Foreign Affairs Committee began an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities facing women and girls worldwide.  Learn more about this effort HERE.

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