The United States has demonstrated a strong commitment to policies and programs that grow women’s leadership capacity in all areas of political participation and decision-making. We know countries are more peaceful and prosperous when women are accorded full and equal rights and opportunity. Even more so, we know that including women and their perspectives in our conflict prevention efforts, our efforts to end wars and bring about just and sustainable peace, our efforts to protect civilian populations and hold accountable those that commit war crimes and crimes against humanity — is absolutely essential to international peace and stability, and to U.S. national security.