Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women and Girls Globally

Overview

Policy Framework

Executive Order 13623, entitled "Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women and Girls Globally," was promulgated by President Barack Obama on August 10, 2012. This order is a crucial policy initiative aimed at integrating the prevention of gender-based violence into the United States’ foreign policy objectives. It emphasizes a multi-year strategy to combat the issue at a global level, recognizing the significant impediments that violence against women poses to their empowerment and participation in societal developments. This comprehensive approach seeks to incorporate prevention strategies into existing foreign policy and assistance programs, reinforcing the U.S.' commitment to human rights and equitable development.

Interagency Coordination

The order announces the creation of an Interagency Working Group, led by the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This body is tasked with ensuring the cohesive implementation of the strategy by enhancing coordination across various government departments. The inclusion of agencies such as Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security underlines a multi-sectoral strategy designed to utilize diverse expertise and resources. Establishing benchmarks for progress and regular evaluations highlights the order's commitment to adaptive management and ongoing enhancement of the strategy.

Priority Setting

The executive order sets distinct priorities for member agencies, focusing on coordinated prevention efforts, integration into existing programs, and improved data collection and research. The aim is to establish a robust feedback system that refines current activities and sparks new initiatives to bridge identified gaps. Aligning these priorities with pre-existing initiatives, such as the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, ensures a strategic and unified approach to the issue, reflecting an intentional and sustained push for comprehensive international engagement on women's issues.

Legal and Policy Implications

Federal Mandates for Coordination

Executive Order 13623 establishes new federal mandates that enhance interagency cooperation, focusing on preventing gender-based violence on a global scale. While it does not directly amend any existing laws, it requires agencies to adjust their internal policies and operational procedures to incorporate this focus, particularly within foreign aid and diplomatic endeavors. The Interagency Working Group acts as a catalyst for these changes, obligating an unprecedented level of collaboration that may not have been present before the order’s enactment.

Strategic Integration with Existing Policies

The executive order works in tandem with current U.S. policies and international legal standards that promote gender equality. By reinforcing commitments outlined in policies like the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, the order provides an anchor for continued federal engagement, ensuring strategic interoperability among established programs. Although it is not legislatively transformative, its directives compel federal agencies to align their actions with broader U.S. international relations and humanitarian endeavors, situating women's rights as a central pillar of foreign policy.

Resource Allocation and Program Justification

The order necessitates federal agencies to reallocate resources and justify their budgetary requests in alignment with the objectives outlined by the Interagency Working Group. As it stipulates the need for congruence between prevention efforts and financial appropriations, it indirectly prompts a shift in budgetary focus that reflects these new priorities. Agencies may advocate for increased legislative funding to enhance their ability to fulfill the order's mandates, potentially swaying future fiscal negotiations and appropriations processes.

Who Benefits

Women and Girls Globally

The foremost beneficiaries of Executive Order 13623 are women and girls, particularly those residing in regions where gender-based violence is rife. By creating a structured framework for U.S. intervention, the order seeks to improve safety, health, and socio-economic opportunities for these populations. It aims at breaking traditional barriers that limit efforts against international gender-based violence, offering a cohesive strategy to induce long-lasting policy and practical changes globally.

Human Rights Advocates and NGOs

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active in human rights and gender equality advocacy stand to gain increased support through this executive order. As the U.S. strengthens its collaboration with international and civil society organizations, new avenues for partnerships and funding opportunities emerge. NGOs can utilize the U.S. government's structured efforts to boost their programs combating violence against women and girls, leading to more extensive and impactful interventions.

International Partners and Allies

International allies, including foreign governments and multilateral organizations, benefit from the strong stance the U.S. takes on gender-based violence through this order. The document strengthens U.S. commitments to global collaborations, potentially fostering synergistic efforts in executing worldwide gender equality initiatives. By aligning its actions with those of global partners, the order sets a precedent that other nations may follow, catalyzing a broader international movement toward gender justice.

Who Suffers

Possible Bureaucratic Resistance

Despite the order’s intention to address critical policy objectives, it may encounter resistance from bureaucratic elements that resist change or increased cooperation across agencies. Such large-scale coordination efforts can be hindered by institutional inertia, conflicting agency priorities, or resource limitations, potentially delaying the execution of the order’s directives and diminishing its effectiveness.

Organizations with Divergent Views on Gender Policy

Entities and organizations with contrasting perspectives on gender policies may view this order unfavorably. Those advocating for minimized governmental intervention or critiquing U.S. involvement in international gender matters might perceive the order as overreach. Such criticisms could focus on national sovereignty issues, fiscal prudence, or alternative views on the role of the state in driving societal advance.

Historical Context

Historical Precedence in Gender Equality Policy

Executive Order 13623 fits within a broader continuum of U.S. policy initiatives emphasizing gender equality, associated with early laws and transnational agreements supporting women's rights. It reaffirms the U.S.'s strategy of leveraging women's rights as a critical component of its diplomatic missions, following historical engagements like its participation in the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

The Obama Administration's Focus

Under President Obama, gender equality took precedence as an integral aspect of both domestic and international policy. This executive order aligns with the administration’s broader vision, tackling the global issue of violence against women and advocating for the United States' leadership in promoting human rights. The order complements the Obama administration's initiatives, such as creating the Office of Global Women's Issues, portraying a comprehensive approach to women’s rights.

Contextual U.S. Foreign Policy Shifts

The period during which this order was enacted saw U.S. foreign policy increasingly emphasize the nexus of human rights, security, and development. Addressing gender-based violence through comprehensive strategies is consistent with these shifts, placing women's safety alongside established diplomatic and economic considerations. This is in sync with the international paradigm shift recognizing women's rights as fundamental to broader security concerns.

Potential Controversies or Challenges

Implementation Complexities

The complexities in implementing Executive Order 13623 could invite scrutiny, involving challenges related to budget constraints and inter-agency collaboration. Given the order's expansive scope, along with its demand for integration into foreign policy, there may be concerns regarding the U.S. government's capacity to execute its directives efficiently across various cultural and geopolitical landscapes.

Congressional Reactions

Potential Congressional responses might challenge the order, driven by concerns about budget allocations or differing views on the U.S.'s role in worldwide issues. Although the order itself does not directly request funds, its effective implementation may rely on legislative approval for the necessary appropriations, potentially leading to friction in federal budget discussions.

Legal Interpretations

The order's broad objectives could face varied legal interpretations, impacting its implementation and overall effect. The question of whether such executive instructions represent overreach may emerge, testing the boundaries of executive authority in mandating expansive inter-agency cooperation without explicit legislative consent, potentially prompting legal challenges or calls for policy refinement.