In this article, the authors assert that North America is uniquely positioned to lead the way in WPS implementation. USNORTHCOM is fortunate to have strong, reliable Women, Peace and Security (WPS) partnerships with Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas, as well as strong regional partnerships with the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security, the Western Hemisphere Institute of Security Cooperation, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies and the Inter-American Defense Board. The lessons learned from USNORTHCOM's unique deployment of gender advisors during Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) (Afghan resettlement) continue to shape the future of the DOD gender advisory workforce and expand the operational contexts considered for the implementation of WPS across the department and interagency. WPS provides an asymmetric advantage in strategic competition. Investing in and leveraging the talents of all our people strengthens our democracy and partnerships with like-minded nations. Modeling diversity and inclusion and prioritizing protection of vulnerable populations bolsters our national resilience. This enhances our credibility on the world stage and ensures our competitive advantages.
