Hegseth dismantles ‘woke’ women’s security program signed into law by Trump in 2017

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire after saying that he had dismantled a Defense Department program that supported women on military security teams. He described it as “woke,” even though it was signed into law in 2017 by US President Donald Trump.

On X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth posted, “This morning, I proudly ENDED the “Women, Peace & Security” (WPS) program inside the Department of Defense. WPS is yet another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative that overburdens our commanders and troops, distracting from our core task: WAR-FIGHTING.”

He added, “WPS is a UNITED NATIONS program pushed by feminists and left-wing activists. Politicians fawn over it; troops HATE it. DoD will hereby executive the minimum of WPS required by statute, and fight to end the program for our next budget. GOOD RIDDANCE WPS!”

However, the WPS program was created via bipartisan legislation signed into law by Trump himself during his first term. The legislation had been passed with the votes of both Democrats and Republicans. It aimed to acknowledge the contributions of women in security missions, military operations, and other activities.

In another post, Hegseth blasted the Biden administration for weaponising the WPS. He posted, “The woke & weak Biden Administration distorted & weaponised the straight-forward & security-focused WPS initiative launched in 2017. So yes, we are ending the woke divisive/social justice/Biden (WPS) initiative. Biden ruined EVERYTHING, including Women, Peace & Security.”

Contrary to Hegseth’s claims, numerous lawmakers and military leaders have hailed the program as being a positive influence. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine has recently defended the WPS program in Congress.

“When we would go out into the field after concluding an assault, we would have female members who would speak with those women and children who were on the objective, and they would help us to understand the human terrain in a new and novel way,” Caine explained during his confirmation hearing in April.

Caine also has a personal connection with Trump, who grew close to him during his service in Iraq. Other Trump-era leaders supported the program too.

UNITED NATIONS REACTS TO HEGSETH

The Women, Peace and Security Act was inspired by a 2000 UN resolution that pushed for the inclusion of women in peacebuilding on a global level. The UN states the program has made a real difference, increasing the number of women serving in peacekeeping missions and increasing security in areas of conflict.

“It’s no secret that women remain largely on the periphery of formal peace processes and decision-making, which is not good for the cause of peace,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

He added, “One of the real-life impacts of the Women, Peace and Security program has been the increasing number of women peacekeepers… which has had a very clear, measurable and positive impact on the protection of civilians in conflict zones.”

(With inputs from AP)

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