Trump Official Shuts Down Key Women’s Peace Program, Sparking Backlash

By Favoredjane

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has abruptly ended the Pentagon’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) program, calling it “divisive”, despite its strong bipartisan history and proven track record in peacebuilding.

The WPS initiative, signed into law by Donald Trump in 2017, aimed to ensure women’s full participation in peace and security efforts. It was once hailed by Trump’s team as a major achievement, with key current cabinet members helping to pass the legislation.

Experts warn the rollback undermines global stability, noting research consistently shows that peace deals are more likely to succeed when women are involved.

As global conflicts intensify, critics say scrapping WPS is not just a policy misstep, it’s a blow to peace itself.