When President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13595, December 19, 2011, he made a gender-responsive approach a national security priority. His mandate called for federal agencies’ development and implementation of a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, the core of which would be a gender-responsive approach to all diplomatic, development and defense-related work in conflict-affected environments. The Order reflects the continual growth of political consideration for gender issues, particularly within warring circumstances that began in the United Nations system over five decades ago. Under its charter, Security Council resolutions have the force of international and domestic law. As such, we are obligated to implement a National Action Plan that will transcend successive administrations.
As part of the NDU's 2020 initiative and commitment to implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) National Action Plan, the University invites its current students to participate in the annual Women, Peace and Security Writing Award competition. NDU students can submit a research paper, thesis or written assignment from any of their AY14-15 courses for award consideration.
The 2013 WPS Award winner was LtCol Diana Staneszewski (CISA), currently deployed to Afghanistan. The WPS Award Committee selected her paper on the "The Female Marine Engagement Program”. The 2014 winner, LTC Niave Knell, was awarded for her paper entitled “Leaning in: Actions Taken by Congresswomen of the 113th Congress to Address Military Sexual Assault.” We would like to encourage strong participation in the 2014 Award competition.
Student writing for the Award needs to be focused on one or more of the following areas:
- Women and Conflict Resolution
- Protections for Women During and After Conflict
- Women’s Roles in Conflict Prevention
- Women’s Access to the Means for and Integration into Relief and Recovery
- National and International Stakeholders’ Respective Roles in Setting and Advancing the WPS Agenda
- National Defense Colleges and the Study of Women, Peace and Security
The deadline for this year's writing entries is May 22. Submissions will be read and judged by the WPS Award Committee, and the NDU and NDU Foundation Presidents will present the winner with a Certificate of Achievement and a $500 Amazon gift card. To commemorate the 15th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, NDU is also giving its WPS writing competition entrants a special opportunity: the winner will have the chance to have their study published in a themed edition of PRISM this fall!