Hegseth ends Women, Peace and Security program despite Trump-era origins

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has abruptly terminated the Pentagon’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) program, describing it as a “woke” and “divisive” initiative, despite the fact that it was originally established under former President Donald Trump.

“This morning, I proudly ENDED the ‘Women, Peace & Security’ (WPS) program inside the [Department of Defence]. WPS is yet another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative that overburdens our commanders and troops — distracting from our core task: WAR-FIGHTING,”  Hegseth stated, announcing the decision in a post on social media platform X.

He further characterised the program as being “pushed by feminists and left-wing activists,” and added, “Politicians fawn over it; troops HATE it.”

The WPS program, however, traces its roots to the Trump administration. In 2017, President Trump signed the Women, Peace, and Security Act, making the United States the first country in the world to codify standalone legislation on the issue. The initiative aimed to enhance women’s roles in peace processes and ensure their protection in conflict zones — principles that originated from a 2000 United Nations Security Council resolution.

During Trump’s presidency, the program was touted as a major accomplishment for women and was prominently highlighted on the Trump campaign’s website as a signature achievement.

In an attempt to explain the contradiction, Hegseth later argued that the Biden administration had “distorted & weaponised” the original program. “Biden ruined EVERYTHING, including ‘Women, Peace & Security,’” he wrote.

The Department of Defence has not yet issued a formal statement clarifying what practical changes will result from Hegseth’s announcement. However, he did indicate that while the Pentagon would meet only the minimum statutory obligations, he intends to advocate for defunding the program in the upcoming budget cycle.

The move could place Hegseth at odds with key members of the Trump administration, several of whom were instrumental in creating and promoting the WPS framework. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem authored the 2017 legislation during her time in Congress, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio co-sponsored the Senate version. As recently as this month, Rubio reaffirmed his support for the policy, calling it “a bill that I was very proud to have been a co-sponsor of when I was in the Senate,” during the State Department’s International Women of Courage awards ceremony.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz also previously supported related legislation and served as co-chair of the bipartisan Women, Peace and Security Caucus. Additionally, Ivanka Trump, daughter of the former president, actively promoted the initiative abroad. In 2019, she announced Colombia’s adoption of a WPS National Action Plan, celebrating it as part of the US partnership.

Internationally, the Women, Peace and Security agenda has been embraced by numerous governments, supported by data suggesting that peace agreements involving women are more durable and inclusive. The abrupt rollback of the program by the Pentagon has raised questions about the future of US leadership in this area and drawn scrutiny from both sides of the political aisle.

By Tamilla Hasanova