通过妇女参与追求和平(1/2)

The Administration of President Barack Obama believes that

women are crucial to ending conflict and building lasting security. "

A growing body of evidence shows

how women around the world contribute to making and keeping peace,

and that these contributions lead to better outcomes for entire societies,"

said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:

"We have enough anecdotal evidence and research that demonstrates women in peacekeeping is both the right thing to do and the smart thing, as well.

It's right,

because, after all, women are affected by conflict.

They deserve to participate in the decisions that shape their own lives.

And it's the smart thing

because we have seen again and again that women participating in these processes builds more durable peace."

Hundreds of peace treaties have been signed in the past 20 or so years,

but a sampling of those treaties shows only 3% of the signatories were women.

So President Obama recently launched the first-ever U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security

which will accelerate and institutionalize efforts across the United States government to advance women's participation in making and keeping peace.