; and (3) recognizes that governments of countries that fail to treat women equally do not allow the societies of those countries to reach full potential; Whereas the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, revised in June 2016, states that [d]eadly conflicts can be more effectively avoided, and peace can be best forged and sustained, when women become equal partners in all aspects of peacebuilding and conflict prevention, when their lives are protected, their voices heard, and their perspectives taken into account. ; Whereas there are 72 national action plans around the world, and there are several additional national action plans known to be in development; Whereas the joint strategy of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development entitled Department of State & USAID Joint Strategy on Countering Violent Extremism and dated May 2016— (1) notes that women can play a critical role in identifying and addressing drivers of violent extremism in their families, communities, and broader society; and (2) commits to supporting programs that engage women as key stakeholders in preventing and countering violent extremism in their communities ; Whereas, despite the historical underrepresentation of women in conflict resolution processes, women in conflict-affected regions have nevertheless achieved significant success in— (1) moderating violent extremism; (2) countering terrorism; (3) resolving disputes through nonviolent mediation and negotiation; and (4) stabilizing societies by improving access to peace and security— (A) services; (B) institutions; and (C) venues for decisionmaking; Whereas, according to the United Nations, peace negotiations are more likely to end in a peace agreement when women’s groups play an influential role in the negotiation process; Whereas, according to a study by the International Peace Institute, a peace agreement is 35 percent more likely to last at least 15 years if women participate in the development of the peace agreement