The Fewer, the Prouder: Impediments to Embracing Women, Peace, and Security
Abstract
In 2017, the U.S. was the first nation to pass an independent Women Peace and Security Act mandating implementation across several government organizations, including the DoD. Although structural impediments, laws, and policy have largely been addressed, cultural roadblocks remain strong, particularly in the Marine Corps, and must be addressed before effectively implementing the WPS agenda. The Marine Corps could better embrace inclusive diversity and gendered perspectives dictated by the WPS framework by revising women's recruiting and retention efforts. Studies evidence that women's perspectives do not become effectively voiced or heard until a tipping point of demographic representation is reached at 25-30 , numbers currently a deficit in the Corps and impossible to achieve soon. Therefore, in the absence of depending on a select few women senior enough to risk speaking without fear of retribution, consideration of alternatively assigning senior women leaders to crucial decision-making tables is necessary. Finally, the Marine Corps culture, still grounded in a male dominated view, may profit from policy changes surrounding physical standards and family support to validate the importance of women and the female viewpoint to the organization. If the Corps values its women members, desires security and peace, and wants to remain relevant on the international stage, it has no choice but to change.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 13, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1174705
Entities
People
- Meghan Kennerly
Organizations
- Naval War College