Peacekeeping

Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: Equipping female police officers

NEWS

Brenda Gasparini emphasises the importance of mentorship, confidence-building, and institutional support in advancing female police officers

Peru: Protesters call for police reform to end femicides

NEWS

Thousands protested against GBV and femicide, as well as denounced police culpability and government inaction, as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

NYPD appoints 2nd woman to lead the force

NEWS

Jessica Tisch becomes the second woman to lead the NYPD, marking a historic step for women in law enforcement.

Mary Catherine Demontato, UN Police In South Sudan: “When You Empower A Woman, You Build A Nation.”

NEWS

Mary Catherine Demontano, a UN Police officer in Aweil, South Sudan, champions women's empowerment as essential for nation-building and peacekeeping.

A US National Movement to Advance Women in Policing - Why It Could Result in Safer Communities

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Research indicates that female officers tend to use less aggressive tactics, excel in de-escalating conflicts, and are often viewed as more approachable by community members.

Strengthening Women's Security: Key Initiatives from the Metropolitan Police's VAWG Strategy

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The Metropolitan Police has recently implemented several key initiatives aimed at improving the safety of women and girls in London by enhancing accountability, and trust between women and the police

South African police celebrate national women's month

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Lieutenant General Maropeng Johanna Mamotheti celebrated for leading over 19,000 officers in crime prevention efforts

Women’s Inclusion and Barriers to Participation in Armed Forces in Nigeria

NEWS

This study provides a desk review of existing evidence and research to enhance women’s participation and inclusion in the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force

Empowering Change: UNODC and Pakistani police train women officers in gender-responsive policing

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80% of participants had not previously received instruction on similar gender-responsive training

Chief inspector who has championed safety of women appointed MBE

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Chief Inspector Caroline Hay is the first City of London Police officer to be awarded an honour by His Majesty King Charles III

Canadian advocates want changes to police investigating police gender-based violence accusations

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Proposals include hiring more women and reallocating resources

Thailand hosts regional workshop on community-oriented policing

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In the words of Brigadier General Nov Ratana: “Women can serve communities and the nation”

Vietnam adopts its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan

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Vietnam is the third ASEAN member state to adopt the WPS agenda

Montenegro hosts the Gender World Congress of Women Police Officers

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Harmful stereotypes continue to be a barrier to women's representation in policing

Women and Specialised Police Teams (SPTs) in UN Peace Operations

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International Peace Institute advises institutional reforms necessary to increase women's representation in SPTs

Pakistani woman police officer saves the life of a woman threatened by a mob in Lahore

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Gulberg SDPO Sheharbano Naqvi recommended for the Quaid-i-Azam Police Medal

The 30 × 30 initiative: Seeking to improve public safety and transform departments by advancing women in policing

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A US grassroots coalition of police leaders, researchers, police professional organizations, and policymakers

Women’s Central Role in Transforming the French Police

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Women account for 29.4% of police officers in France

Exchanging ideas to close the gender gap in South and South-East Asia

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Participants from across South and South-East Asia attended the Regional Workshop on Gender-Responsive Community-Oriented Policing

Women in forensics receive training under Papua New Guinea-Australian Policing Partnership

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Detective Senior Constable Hakaiwa and Constable Koma undergo Scenes of Crime Officer training

South Wales Police celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024

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An opportunity to celebrate women working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to keep South Wales safe

Singaporean Project: Her Police Story

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Sisters, Mums and Ma'ams

Mentorship initiative empowers women in policing in The Gambia

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Mentor-mentee scheme between The Gambia and UK builds exchanges and addresses gender disparities within the police sectors

South African women’s group trains police to respond to gender-based violence

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Sixty-six officers graduate from GBV survivor-centric training modules

Indonesian Peacekeeper to Receive 2023 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year Award

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At 27-years-old, Police First Sergeant Renita Rismayanti is the youngest recipient of the award

Promoting Women in Law Enforcement in the Asia-Pacific

NEWS

Women are often excluded from specialised and continuous training programmes

Number of Kenyan women police officers almost halves between 2018 and 2023

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The number of women officers in the Kenya Police Service dropped from 14,042 in 2018 to 7,457 in 2023

WIIS Brussels recommends 10 gender-sensitive policies to improve women's representation in security and counterterrorism sectors

NEWS

Global average number of women serving in the military increases by 1.2%, number of women police officers decreases by 1.3%

First woman New York Police Chief steps down amidst rumours of other appointees in the department undermining her authority

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After 18 months as New York police chief, Keechant Sewell resigns suddenly

ELSIE Initiative Call for Proposals

NEWS

On Thursday (30th March) representatives from around the world met in New York to launch a new call for proposals to fund projects, assessments and schemes to support the greater inclusion of women in peacekeeping operations. The Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) has awarded over 17 million dollars' worth of funding to support the increased representation of women in security services since its creation in 2019.

New grant to Zambia to boost women peacekeepers

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Zambia’s police force will receive a grant of nearly $1 million to boost women’s participation in UN peace operations.

UK to host UNPOL’s Women’s Command course in March 2023

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UK is to host the United Nations Police (UNPOL) Women’s Command Development course at Canterbury Christ Church University in March 2023.

Record 40 per cent of chief constables are now women amid anti-misogyny drive

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19 of the 49 chief constable posts in England and Wales are held by women, nearly five times the number in 2019 when there were only four.

SecurityWomen participates in UNODC symposium on crime in East Africa region

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SecurityWomen participated in a regional symposium organised by the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), held in Nairobi on 15-16 December 2022.

Women in UN Police play critical role in fostering community trust and protecting most vulnerable groups.

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Female UN police officers play a vital role in fostering trust with local communities and protecting the most vulnerable groups, including women and children.

UN Woman Police Officer of the Year 2022

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Chief Warrant Officer Alizeta Kabore Kinda of Burkina Faso has become the 12th recipient of the United Nations Award for Woman Police Officer of the Year. She is the first member of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to be awarded this honour.

Gender violence in Pakistan: women fighting back

NEWS

Hundreds if not thousands of women are murdered, kidnapped and assaulted each year in Pakistan. A 2018 survey estimated 1 in 3 women experienced domestic violence, but conviction rates are extremely low. It is being described by some in Pakistan as a ‘gender violence epidemic.’ Now Pakistani women are demanding action to address the vast scale of violence.

Removing Barriers for Women in Law Enforcement in Canada

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Superintendent Kara Triance is the first female Officer in Charge at the Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police Detachment. SecurityWomen supports women like Kara and the work they do for gender diversity.

Two Women’s Experience of UK Policing

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Sisters Torie Harrison and Georgie Watts both serve as police officers in Northamptonshire. SecurityWomen hopes that female role models like these sisters will encourage more women and girls to make a career in policing.

More than 100 new police officers set to join Staffordshire’s police force in coming year

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Staffordshire police force's recent recruits will include more women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds than ever before.

Celebrating 50 years of women in the South African Police Service

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As a celebration of National Police Day in South Africa, female police officers in Ekurhuleni were reaffirmed.

Keechant Sewell to Become First Woman to Lead New York City Police Department

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Keechant Sewell will become New York City’s first female police commissioner, taking over the nation’s largest police force at a critical moment.

UK POLICE NEED TO REBUILD BOND OF TRUST WITH WOMEN

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“A precious bond of trust has been damaged” said Met Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, following the sentencing of Sarah Everard’s murderer to whole life imprisonment.

Would Having More Female Officers Improve Policing?

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A Washington Post study suggests that, on average, women are less likely to unnecessarily search cars or people.

UN Women Launches A New Global Police Handbook

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Today, UN Women, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) and the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) launched a new Handbook on Gender-Responsive Police Services for Women and Girls Subject to Violence.

New Zealand Introduces Hijabs Into Official Police Uniform

NEWS

New Zealand’s national police service has added a “specially designed hijab” to its official uniform in an effort to match the demographics of the community, reduce crime and allow Muslim officers to serve while appropriately meeting their personal needs.

Standing up for Vulnerable South Sudanese: UN Woman Police Officer of the Year

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Chief Inspector Doreen Malambo, Gender Adviser at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has won 2020 UN Woman Police Officer of the Year Award, in honour of her work supporting vulnerable groups, such as women, girls, children, and people with disabilities.

For Women in Afghan Security Forces, A Daily Battle

NEWS

Among Afghani police forces, which have been the focus of diversification efforts for years, women still make up only 2.8 percent of employees — and that is the highest level in 18 years. It is not because qualified, willing women are lacking. It is because to join the police is to endure abuse and degradation.

Women Can’t Fix Policing If They Don’t Want The Job

NEWS

At a time where discussions on police reform are taking place all across the country, some have posited the solution of more women in law enforcement.

'Hire more women' has been touted as a quick fix to police brutality since Rodney King. Here's why empty calls for equality fail.

NEWS

Gender discrimination laws don't stop women from being tokenized and harassed.

The U.S. Needs Sweeping Police Reform. Let’s Start With Women.

NEWS

Less than 48 hours after the debut of a documentary about the Minneapolis Police Department, a male police officer knelt on the neck of an unarmed black man as three other male police officers either knelt on his back and legs or stood by watching. Nearly nine minutes later, George Floyd was dead. Most media reports mention the races of the four police officers—two white, two Asian. Few, if any, mention their gender.

Black Lives Matter

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SecurityWomen condemns police brutality in any form in any country and systemic racism that leads to deaths of black people.

Directory of Female Experts within CAR Defence and Security Forces to Boost Women Leadership

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Women in uniform in the Central African Republic are counting on a newly launched Defence Forces Official Directory of Female Experts to help push for better representation of women in decision-making positions. The document, produced with MINUSCA support, was handed over to Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebada at a ceremony held in Bangui on 11 March 2020, just three days after the celebration of International Women’s Day.

Spain Appoints Its First Ever Female Police Chief

NEWS

Spain recently appointed a woman to head the country's oldest police force, the Guardia Civil, for the first time in the agency's 175-year history. The interior ministry said in a statement it had appointed Maria Gamez, formerly the central government representative in the southern province of Malaga, as the "first woman" at the helm of the 80,000-strong Guardia Civil force.

Meet South Africa’s First Black Female Police Pilot, Refilwe Ledwaba

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“I never thought aviation or becoming a pilot was a viable career choice for me as I have never seen anyone that looks like me following that career,” that is a quote from Refilwe Ledwaba, South African Police Service’s first female pilot.

UN Female Police Officer of the Year, Major Seynabou Diouf of Senegal

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November 5, 2019:Major Seynabou Diouf of the Senegal National Police has been selected as the 2019 United Nations Female Police Officer of the Year.

Can American Police Close the Gender Gap?

NEWS

August 6, 2019: Erica Hicks left a comfortable job to fulfill her dream of becoming a New Jersey police officer.“I want to give back to my community,” she says. “I want to protect and serve.”But thanks to a new fitness test imposed by a little-known state commission, the odds for her success have considerably decreased. In just one year, since the rule created by the New Jersey Police Training Commission was enacted, New Jersey almost tripled the rate of women failing police academy physical tests.

Rwandan Female Police Officers Scaling Heights Of Policing Career

NEWS

May 30, 2019: In March 2019, the United Nations expressed its gratitude to a Rwandan Police Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Teddy Ruyenzi, for her outstanding role in UN peacekeeping. ACP Ruyenzi, who is among the top most senior police officers at the rank of ACP, leads a trail-blazing force of 160-strong all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) in the Republic of South Sudan under the United Nations Mission in Southern Sudan (UNMISS).

Cressida Dick: The Toughest Parts of my Job as Metropolitan Police Commissioner

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March 1, 2019: A century after women first joined the Met, the London force’s first female Commissioner, Cressida Dick, discusses why she loves the job.

In Pakistan, Female Police Officers Are Rare. This One Quelled A Militant Attack

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December 31, 2018: Suhai Aziz Talpur was training to be a police officer, she was ordered to jump off a cliff during an endurance test. She recalls staring seven feet down to the ground. "I said no, I won't jump and break my leg."So her supervisor pushed her.Talpur landed unscathed. Later, her supervisor told her, "The fear is here." Talpur taps her head. "So fight it from here.

London's Metropolitan Police Celebrates 100 Years of Female Police Officers

NEWS

November 25, 2018: As the Met celebrates 100 years of female police officers on the streets of London, its first female commissioner, Cressida Dick, has launched the force’s first recruitment drive aimed at women, in an attempt to reach gender parity in the rank and file. There are now 8,000 women in the Met – 27% of the total number of staff.

Ambassador Sonto Kudjoe On The Modern Day Defence And Security Threats Challenging Africa

NEWS

November 20, 2018: South African entrepreneur and technocrat Sonto Kudjoe, who is a former Director General of South Africa’s State Security Agency (SSA) and Ambassador to Egypt from 2006-2010, has a unique understanding of the modern-day defense and security threats challenging the African continent. In a recent interview in Forbes magazine, Ambassador Kudjoe stated that a major challenge for African and global defense is that by its very nature, the defense and security industry has always been and still in many cases remains, male-dominated. Nevertheless, she has been encouraged by signs that women are beginning to increase their numbers in this sector.

India's All-Female Police Stations Improve Women's Safety

NEWS

November 18, 2018: Female police officers in India are changing the way violence against women is reported. Opening all-woman police stations (WPS) increased crime reportage by a significant 22% in the world’s most dangerous country for women, according to a June 2018 study. This is because women are more comfortable approaching these stations.

U.K. Police Study Finds Gender Equality Training Ineffective

NEWS

November 8, 2018: Many leaders opt for diversity training to counter stereotypes and old-school beliefs that can make it difficult for women to reach their full potential. In the U.K., police were concerned. They had investigated diversity in their large force and discovered that when female officers and staff reflected on their time being pregnant, only 39 percent felt supported by their managers.

First Woman to Lead Cambridge University’s Private Police Force

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September 28, 2018: In April, BRITAIN’S first female bomb disposal expert became the first woman to lead Cambridge university’s private police force.

Women May Improve Police Forces' Cohesion

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When the United Nations and other international players rebuild war-torn countries, they frequently require that women have greater representation in the country’s security forces. But critics of these gender-equity reforms often suggest that women harm the cohesion of the police force.

Rebels With a Cause

NEWS

July 28, 2018: A woman is raped every 13 minutes in India. As the situation reaches desperate proportions, one police commissioner thinks there might be an answer. In the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, a new, all-female police squad, mounted on motorbikes, aims to keep women safe on the streets.

2018 International Association of Women Police International Scholarship Recipient Selected

NEWS

June 13, 2018: Chair Cindy Shain and members of the IAWP International Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the recipient of the 2018 IAWP International Scholarship, Chief Superintendent Kerry Smith, from the Leicestershire Police in the United Kingdom.

South African Police Service to Empower and Develop Female Police Officers

NEWS

June 13, 2018:A task team was established on Friday to draft a five-year strategy to empower and develop female police officers at all levels in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

U.S. Female Cops: Fighting for Respect in a ‘Boys Club’ Culture

NEWS

May 14, 2018: A barbed comment by a soon-to-retire Illinois State Police lieutenant gave Cara Rabe-Hemp both the title and the theme of her new book. Observing that the lieutenant, who had joined the force in the 1980s, was just completing a 25-year career in the policing, Rabe-Hemp asked her, “Do you think anything has slowed you down?” “Policing is a boys’ club,” came the quick reply, “And if you haven’t noticed, I’m not a boy.”

Head of the Reykjavík Police Department in Iceland Says Women Key to Better Policing

NEWS

February 26, 2018: Sigríður Björk Guðjónsdóttir, head of the Reykjavík Police Department in Iceland, discusses her fight against gender discrimination in the police force where she says there are not enough women on the field or in managerial positions, in an interview with euronews reporter Valérie Gauriat.

Female Foundation Course a Milestone for Afghan Special Police

NEWS

February 23, 2018: The Afghan General Command of Police Special Units began a special police course designed specifically for female Afghan police officers, the Female Foundation Course at the Special Police Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 17, 2018.

Inclusive Police Forces Effective in Fighting Terrorism

NEWS

January 24, 2018: Research shows that police can be more effective at preventing terrorism than military forces due to their permanent presence in local communities. To strengthen trust between police and communities, police forces must be representative of the populations they are tasked with protecting. In particular, greater representation of women is needed. Currently, women represent only one percent of Pakistan’s police forces. This gap in the Pakistani security sector remains a challenge to efforts to stabilize the country against terrorist threats.

Female Police Officers, a Growing Asset in U.S.

NEWS

December 30, 2017: The sight of a woman in a police uniform is no longer the novelty it once was. For good and valid reasons, police forces have embraced the notion that a diverse workforce strengthens their ability to police the communities they serve.That is encouraging, but as a survey by the Associated Press discloses, woman lead only five of the nation’s 50 biggest police departments. A 2013 survey counted 169 female chiefs out of 1,500 departments.

Delhi Police to Set up All-Female Motorbike Squad to Tackle Crime Against Women

NEWS

November 28, 2017: Delhi’s police force has created an all-female motorcycle squad in an attempt to tackle rising crime against women, particularly in the city’s narrow alleyways. The patrol, called Raftaar (Speed), will deploy specially trained female officers on 600 motorbikes from December. They will carry guns, body cameras, pepper spray and stun guns, patrolling crowded, cramped areas of the city in pairs.

Indian Army to Induct 800 Women Into Military Police

NEWS

A day after Nirmala Sitharaman took over as the country’s first full-time female defence minister, the army on Friday announced that it is giving finishing touches to a proposal for inducting women into the military police.... 

Police Officers Who Become Mothers Face Barriers

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May 8, 2017: After having to repeatedly prove they are as good as their male counterparts, female police officers face a whole new...

Bringing women on equal footing with men in Kosovo Police

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March 3, 2017: Established in partnership with UN Women in Kosovo, the Association of Women in the Kosovo Police trains...

Cressida Dick Named First Female Head of U.K.'s Metropolitan Police

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February 28, 2017: Cressida Dick is to become the first ­female head of the Metropolitan police, completing a remarkable...

Women police officers in Pakistan – making a more peaceful world

NEWS

February 13, 2017: the US State Department is planning to spend more than $8 million in 2017 to increase the number...

23 Women Police Officers Get Training Under Australia Awards Program

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February 7, 2017: 23 Pakistani women completed leadership and countering gender-based violence training conducted...

Female Police Defuse Tension in Beirut

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February 7, 2017: When Mardig Boghossian was elected in May 2016 as the mayor of Burj Hammoud, a north-east district of Beirut...

Growing Number of Women Leading U.S. Police Departments

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February 7, 2017: Female police officers tend to use wits over brawn to deescalate potentially violent situations, experts say...

U.K Police Work to Change Image of "Male, Pale, and Stale"

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January 20, 2017: Police Now, a program which focuses in particular on the recruitment of women and minorities...

More Women Becoming Chief of Police

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January 15, 2017: Op-ed columnist Peter Funt discusses the rise in women selected to head police departments in the U.S.

Women in peace operations: the unsung champions of human rights

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Today, South Africa celebrates Human Rights Day, commemorating the 1960 shooting of police upon peaceful protestors...

First woman in senior police role

NEWS

Nobesuthu Princess Masiye has been promoted to the position of Divisional Commissioner of Visible Policing within the South...

Women in Police Force Mitigate Gender Based Violence in Nepal

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Peacebuilding and conflict prevention NGO, Saferworld published a report of research findings into the gendered nature...

Police in Myanmar Trained to Deal with Gender-Based Violence

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September 27, 2016: Police in Myanmar are being trained to recognize signs of domestic violence and to understand the...

‘Policewoman barred from beach by king’ report by Ian Sparks in the UK newspaper Metro, 29th July 2015

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King Salman from Saudi Arabia, on holiday on the French Riviera, did not wish to have women present in his security team...

UK releases Report of the Royal Navy Non-Statutory Investigation into Allegations of Misconduct and Inappropriate Behaviour within the Submarine Service

NEWS

The Royal Navy's non-statutory investigation reveals significant misconduct and inappropriate behavior within the Submarine Service, addressing critical issues of misogyny and bullying that have persisted over several years.

Addressing Sexual Misconduct and Gender Disparities in NATO Militaries

NEWS

Reports of rape cultures within militaries threaten recruitment and retention

Brazil Allows Women to Enlist in the Military

NEWS

Brazilian women can now voluntarily enlist in the armed forces under a new decree by President Lula

Women shouldn’t join army, says corporal who suffered racist abuse

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Former British Army corporal says her experiences of racism and sexism during her service made her time in the Army “a living hell”

NATO Endorses New Policy on Women, Peace, and Security

NEWS

The new document provides a political framework for the NATO Alliance to further promote the WPS agenda

Women’s Inclusion and Barriers to Participation in Armed Forces in Nigeria

NEWS

This study provides a desk review of existing evidence and research to enhance women’s participation and inclusion in the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force

Ghana Navy’s First Female Commanding Officer Inspires Others

NEWS

“There’s more room for more women to be appointed in higher positions in the armed forces,” says Lt. Cdr. Priscilla Ami Dogbeda Dzokoto

UN releases Navigating Challenges and Driving Change report on Women, Peace and Security

NEWS

The report focuses on strategies towards achieving Women, Peace and Security (WPS) goals, as well as the progress made by the Secretary-General's Action for Peacekeeping Priorities on WPS.

D-Day 80th Anniversary

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During World War Two, women across Europe answered the call to serve their countries at a time when many would have faced strong opposition from those at home

Women undergo peace, security endurance and mental dexterity challenge

NEWS

Barbados, the United States of America, Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Mexico, Peru, Martinique, and the Dominican Republic militaries participate

Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed: Kenya's first female Air Force Chief

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Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed will be the first woman to head any of the three services of Kenya's armed forces

NATO Holds Deep Dive Session on Women, Peace and Security

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88% of NAPs advocate for increased female representation in the defence sector and armed forces

Vietnam adopts its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan

NEWS

Vietnam is the third ASEAN member state to adopt the WPS agenda

Brazilian Armed Forces take historic steps toward the inclusion of women in their operational sectors

NEWS

Brazilian Army Aviation and Navy increase women's inclusion in training courses

Denmark plans to conscript women for military service for first time

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Government plans to call up 5,000 conscripts per year from 2026

Liberia Names First Female Defence Minister

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Brigadier-General Geraldine George appointed shortly after women's protests

First all-women crew complete NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force sortie

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The Women’s Initiative Team organised the mission to champion equality and inclusion

NATO International Military Staff Office of the Gender Advisor holds fourth regional Deep Dive session

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The session discussed the Balkans and the Gender Perspective

Ukraine certifies second sample of women's body armour

NEWS

Temp-3000 designs adjustable sets of body armour that fit the anatomical features of each women soldier

Ghana Armed Forces reaches 19% female deployment in peacekeeping operations

NEWS

Ghana has now exceeded the United Nations' 9% target

Promoting Women in Law Enforcement in the Asia-Pacific

NEWS

Women are often excluded from specialised and continuous training programmes

South Africa's first female submarine navigator dies at sea

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Lieutenant Commander Gillian Malouw was one of three to die at sea

Nigerian army reaches 27.9% female participation in peace operations

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This is 10% above the United Nations-set benchmark

Senate approves first woman to lead US Navy

NEWS

Admiral Lisa Franchetti has been approved by the US Senate to lead the US Navy. She is the first woman to head a Pentagon military service branch and will join the Joint Chiefs of Staff which comprise the United States most senior military officers.

When survival depends upon a correct fitting uniform

NEWS

Women now make up 20% of Ukraine’s total force deployed against the Russians, but until recently they had to put up with wearing uniforms designed to fit men.

Army reports on suicide of young female soldier who suffered relentless sexual harassment.

NEWS

UK army's internal investigation finds a young woman soldier took her own life largely because of the relentless harassment she experienced from her boss.

Female soldiers in US army face rampant sexism and harassment

NEWS

Survey confirms female soldiers who take part in special combat operations face sexism and harassment from male colleagues

WIIS Brussels recommends 10 gender-sensitive policies to improve women's representation in security and counterterrorism sectors

NEWS

Global average number of women serving in the military increases by 1.2%, number of women police officers decreases by 1.3%

Latin American and Caribbean partners meet in Washington for WPS workshop

NEWS

A group of 63 civilian and military representatives met at the Perry Center on April 12, 2023 to discuss WPS policy-making, first reported in Dialogos Americas.

ELSIE Initiative Call for Proposals

NEWS

On Thursday (30th March) representatives from around the world met in New York to launch a new call for proposals to fund projects, assessments and schemes to support the greater inclusion of women in peacekeeping operations. The Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) has awarded over 17 million dollars' worth of funding to support the increased representation of women in security services since its creation in 2019.

Female commander appointed in wake of submarine bullying accusations

NEWS

Commodore Sharon Malkin has been appointed commander of HMS Naval Base at Clyde following allegations of bullying and sexual abuse in submarines at the base.

Sexually assaulted Japanese female soldier obtains apology from military chiefs

NEWS

Rina Gonoi, ex-member of Japan’s Self Defence Force, finally received a formal apology in September from Japan’s military after speaking out about how she was sexually assaulted by drunken male officers during her training last year.

Death of Sandhurst cadet will lead to transformation of toxic culture

NEWS

UK Army leaders have promised to transform the toxic culture which led to the death of cadet officer, Olivia Perks in February 2019.

First female soldier passes gruelling test to join UK parachute regiment

NEWS

Private Addy Carter has made history by passing the UK Army’s gruelling course to become a member of the Parachute Regiment.

Ministry of Defence brings in programme to tackle abuse of women in UK’s armed forces

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This week marked the anniversary of the recommendations made by Rt. Hon. Sarah Atherton MP in her report ‘Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life’. A year on, the MOD reported that they have acted on her recommendations to tackle unacceptable sexual behaviour and improve the experience for women in the UK’s armed forces.

War brings Ukraine’s women new roles and new dangers

NEWS

On 24 August, Ukraine celebrated its 31st year of independence from Russia. Sadly, it also marked six-months since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine territory in February.

76 Years Later: Congressional Honours for 102-year-old Black Veterans of WWII

NEWS

Private Romay Davis, 102, has been awarded the US Congress' highest honour for civilians 76 years after her deployment to Europe during the Second World War.

Ukraine's Sharpshooting Women

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Talented Ukrainian sportswomen have turned their skills to the protection of their homeland, reports ZDF

Abusive and Sexist Virginity Testing Abolished

NEWS

Human Rights Watch reports that the Indonesian armed forces have finally ended the damaging practice of virginity testing on female recruits.

WPS seminar in Chile aims to make Armed Forces More Ready, More Resilient, and More Effective

NEWS

A Women Peace and Security seminar organised by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the Chilean Joint Peacekeeping Operations Center (CECOPAC) was recently held in Santiago, Chile. Participants discussed how gender integration in the armed and security forces in the fields of education, recruitment and promotion, could be improved.

NATO’S DEEP DIVE INTO CO-OPERATIVE SECURITY AND GENDER

NEWS

NATO’s International Military Staff (IMS) hosted their third “Deep Dive” session on 9 May, this time focusing on the importance of integrating a gender perspective in co-operative security plans. This included looking at how a gender dimension is important to strengthening security and projecting stability through partnerships and dialogue.

The British Army still has a long way to go towards eliminating sexual harassment of all service personnel

NEWS

Reflecting on the results of a recent government survey looking into the experiences and perceptions of sexual harassment in the armed forces.

Saudi Arabia allows women to join Border Guards

NEWS

Women in Saudi Arabia are to be allowed to join the country’s Border Guards as part of the Interior Ministry’s plan to increase the number of women in government and private sector roles.

Ukrainian women to be conscripted as the country faces Russian forces

NEWS

Ukraine’s MoD has expanded the pool of Ukrainian women who are required to register for possible military conscription in the event of a major war.

NATO supports women and girls in science for peace and security

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For the 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, NATO published the stories of three of the women they have supported through their careers under NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Programme.

UN Lebanon mission pioneers gender-sensitive peacekeeping

NEWS

The Interim Force in Lebanon will become the first peacekeeping mission to invest in gender-sensitive housing and improved working conditions.

U.S. Lawmakers Reach Deal to Overhaul How Military Handles Sexual Assault Cases

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U.S. military commanders’ powers would be clipped after years of complaints about unfairness and retaliation.

The U.S. Military’s Broken Culture Around Sexual Violence and Suicide

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A recent New York Times column examines the U.S. military’s high rate of suicides and its possible connection with deficiencies in prevention of and response to sexual assault.

Decade-old Kenyan murder prompts further enquiry into the treatment of Women by the UK military.

NEWS

The surfacing of a crime from 2012 has produced many questions about the treatment of women by the UK military. 21-year-old mother, Agnes Wanjiru, was murdered by British soldiers and left in a septic tank in Kenya nearly a decade ago. It is suspected that issues over diplomatic relations meant the crime was kept quiet but was treated as an open secret within the Army regiment for years.

More success for the UN's 'Means to Lead' Programme

NEWS

Multi-Purpose Women's Centres educate and inform women on their rights, security and gender equality. Jesmin Aktar's story is just one success of these service centres.

U. S. Congress Moves Closer to Making Women Register for the Draft

NEWS

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee voted Wednesday to expand registration for the Selective Service System, commonly known as the draft, to include women, a move that brings the requirement one step closer to becoming law.

The Epidemic of Sexual Assault in the U.S. Military

NEWS

Nearly one in four U.S. servicewomen reports being sexually assaulted in the military. Why has it been so difficult to change the culture?

Two-thirds of Women in UK Military Report Bullying and Sexual Abuse

NEWS

Landmark parliamentary report features evidence of gang rape, sex for career advancement and trophies to ‘bag the woman’

Christine Wormuth Confirmed as First Woman to Lead the U.S. Army

NEWS

Christine Wormuth was once again confirmed as U.S. Army secretary Thursday, May 27, after the Senate revoked her confirmation the previous night over an apparent procedural snafu that was quickly resolved. She is the first woman to hold the position.

#MeToo in the Women's Military

NEWS

A former senior UK Army officer is calling for the military to have a “#MeToo moment” and is claiming that hundreds of female troops have been raped and sexually abused by colleagues.

Women in Military Becomes Gender Battleground in South Korea

NEWS

A heated debate in South Korea about mandatory military service for women is inflaming divisions between the sexes rather than narrowing social gaps, the country’s gender equality minister said.

Female Soldiers Are Changing How Armed Forces Work

NEWS

Between 1957 and 1989 only 20 women ever served as un peacekeepers, anywhere. But the number of female soldiers has been growing of late.

White House Features New Women Generals on International Women’s Day

NEWS

On International Women's Day, two female U.S. Army generals, recently promoted, were spotlighted in White House remarks

U.S. Department of Defense's Adoption of Women, Peace, and Security Framework Incorporates New Approach to Human Rights

NEWS

The U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) approach to international human rights law (IHRL) has been the subject of substantial criticism, focused on the perception that the U.S. rejects a role for IHRL during military operations. The reality is more nuanced. The department’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Strategic Framework, issued last year, is a valuable illustration of this subtlety, and portends a shift in DOD’s relationship with and the interpretation and applicability of IHRL.

U.S. Military Leaders Given 2 Weeks to Show Their Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts Are Working

NEWS

In one of his first actions as defense secretary, Lloyd Austin is ordering his top generals to report on the measures they're taking to prevent sexual assault and harassment in the ranks -- and how they know they're working.

Swedish Military Spending May Conflict With Feminist Foreign Policy

NEWS

How would a country’s defense priorities change if women played a greater role in determining what constitutes national security and national threats?

Biden Likely to Break Gender Barriers in Choice of Pentagon Head

NEWS

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to take a historic step and select a woman to head the Pentagon for the first time, shattering one of the few remaining barriers to women in the department and the presidential Cabinet.

Words Matter: A Case for Gender-neutral Language in Defence

NEWS

Gendered language permeates the very fabric of the UK’s Armed Forces, from personnel answering the phone with ‘Sir’ to the widespread use of terms such as ‘unmanned’ and ‘airman’. While much progress has been made in opening up military roles for women, the continued use of gendered language remains a significant, yet easy to remove stumbling block to more inclusive armed forces.

For Estonian Women, Military Service Increasingly Attracts as a Career

NEWS

Increasing numbers of young women who are voluntarily enrolling in Estonia’s conscription service, which is required for men, and then choosing to enter military service professionally.

Top U.S. General Mourns Passing of Ginsburg, Who Pressed for Military Gender Equality

NEWS

U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley joined in mourning the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose landmark rulings and lifetime of advocacy for gender equality had a major impact on the military.

The Rise of Female Commanders in Combat Arms

NEWS

The United States Army has been slowly integrating women into ground combat units since the Defense Department opened all military jobs to all troops in 2015.

British Army And Royal Navy Named In Top 50 Employers For Women

NEWS

The British Army and Royal Navy have been named in 'The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2020' list.

First Female Commander of 1st Special Operations Wing Says 'There are No Barriers'

NEWS

Colonel Jocelyn Schermerhorn has been named the first female commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, the most-deployed wing in the U.S. Air Force.

A #MeToo Moment Emerges for Military Women After Soldier’s Killing

NEWS

Women in the military say the horrific killing of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen has swept the United States, galvanizing even civilians to the cause.

The Army Is About to Get its First Female Green Beret

NEWS

A female U.S. Army soldier is scheduled to graduate from the Special Forces Qualification Course in July and become the first woman to join the Green Berets, U.S. military officials say.

Chief Master Sgt. JoAnne S. Bass named 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force

NEWS

Chief Master Sgt. JoAnne S. Bass was selected June 19 to become the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, becoming the first woman in history to serve as the highest ranking noncommissioned member of a U.S. military service. In selecting Bass, incoming Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown said Bass brings skills, temperament and experience that the job requires and an outlook on leadership that meshes with his own.

First Sikh Woman to Graduate from West Point

NEWS

United Sikhs, a non-profit human development and advocacy organization, recently announced that Anmol Kaur Narang has become the first Sikh woman to graduate from West Point in the historical class of 2020. The Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army earns her stripes and degree in Nuclear Engineering. She plans to pursue a career path in air defense systems. Her first posting will be in Okinawa, Japan.

U.S. Air Force Removes Height Requirement to Attract More Women Pilots

NEWS

The U.S. Air Force said it was dispensing with a restriction that effectively eliminated about 44 percent of American women between the ages of 20 and 29.

Directory of Female Experts within CAR Defence and Security Forces to Boost Women Leadership

NEWS

Women in uniform in the Central African Republic are counting on a newly launched Defence Forces Official Directory of Female Experts to help push for better representation of women in decision-making positions. The document, produced with MINUSCA support, was handed over to Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebada at a ceremony held in Bangui on 11 March 2020, just three days after the celebration of International Women’s Day.

Women Launch Legal Action to Stop Military Courts Trying U.K. Rape Cases

NEWS

Three women serving in the armed forces have begun legal action aimed at preventing the military courts from trying UK rape cases, complaining that the conviction rate is five to six times lower than in civilian courts.

Men, Women And The Changing Shape Of Military Muscle

NEWS

This article by Avivah Wittenberg-Cox examines why women’s greater participation in militaries is a good thing. See also publication below by Andrea Tuemmler, ‘‘Women and Gender Perspectives in the Military’ Book Launch at Georgetown University’ dated 12 November 2019.

U.S. Marine Corps Struggles to Integrate Genders in Boot Camp

NEWS

Keeping men and women in separate platoons during recruit training is the last stand for the Marine Corps, which has been slow to move toward gender integration.

The cult of the Soldier Service Provider in the COVID-19 crisis

NEWS

by Juliet Colman

British Army Officer Becomes First Woman to Pass Brutal Para Course

NEWS

A British Army officer has become the first woman to pass a gruelling Parachute Regiment entry test. Capt Rosie Wild, 28, was described as a "trailblazer" after passing the P Company course - which many men fail.

Women Granted Equal Rights in Indian Army

NEWS

India's Supreme Court ruled on Monday in favor of equal rights in the armed forces, ordering the government to grant permanent commission and command positions to women officers on par with men.The judgment, seen as a landmark decision for the Indian military, means that all women will now be eligible for the same promotions, ranks, benefits and pensions as their male counterparts, irrespective of their years of service or whether they had retired.

NATO Adopts First-ever Policy on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

NEWS

NATO has adopted its first policy on preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse. The policy, which applies to all personnel, makes clear NATO’s zero-tolerance approach. This robust policy defines what behaviours are unacceptable, how to prevent them, and how Allies will work collectively to ensure accountability.

Women on the Front Lines

NEWS

January 10, 2020: The 1990's saw women beginning to fill a wider range of roles in the military, with many countries relaxing their bans on women serving in combat roles. As a result, women are able to fly combat aircraft, serve in artillery units, staff missile emplacements, serve as combat medics, and fill various other roles that involve potential combat exposure.

Living as Myself, at Last

NEWS

December 26, 2019: In this New York Times piece, Alexandria Holder, a transgender technical sergeant in the United States Air Force, tells of the years she feared pursuing her true identity as female during the time that transgender people were banned in the military.

Ewa Skoog Haslum becomes new Marine Chief of Swedish Defense Force

NEWS

December 17, 2019: The Vice-Chancellor of the Swedish Defense Force, Fleet Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum has been appointed new Marine Chief. She will be leaving her position as Vice-Principal at the Swedish Defense College on 1 February 2020.

Indian Navy's First Woman Pilot

NEWS

December 16, 2019: Indian Navy's first woman pilot Sub Lieutenant Shivangi said, "My father is a teacher. My grandfather was a farmer. No one in my family has ever joined the defence forces. My parents have always supported me in whatever I wanted to do"

Spain in Drive to Get Women into Special Forces

NEWS

December 16, 2019: Spain's defence ministry is opening more special forces roles to women as part of international efforts to tackle terrorism and unconventional warfare.

West Point's Woman Problem

NEWS

December 8, 2019: Why aren’t there more women at West Point? All military occupations and units are now open to women, yet women made up less than 20 percent of the 2018 West Point graduating class. And that was the highest percentage ever.

The U.S. Marines Want an Academic Study on the Cost, Impacts of Co-Ed Boot Camp

NEWS

November 13, 2019: As more men and women train together at Marine Corps boot camp, the service is looking for a university that can complete an in-depth study of co-ed recruit training.The Marine Corps is seeking info from public universities that can provide "objective, data-driven recommendations for policy change to enable better Entry Level Training (ELT) for Marine Corps recruits."

Capturing the Life of Women in the Military is this Photographer’s Passion

NEWS

November 8, 2019: Photojournalist Lynsey Addario has covered conflict all over the world for more than 20 years, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa.But her most recent project for National Geographic’s November issue titled “Women: A Century of Change” was the first time women in the military — both in the U.S. and elsewhere — took the spotlight in her storytelling.‍

First Female Four-star U.S. Army General Dunwoody Shares Insights

NEWS

October 14, 2019: Retired Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody received the Association of Graduates Thayer Award Oct. 10. The award was established in honor of the "Father of the Military Academy" Col. Sylvanus Thayer and is presented to an outstanding member of society whose accomplishments exemplify the military's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country."

Why a Think Tank Puts Teen Girls in Command of Military Operations

NEWS

October 12, 2019: Though women have made a lot of progress in recent years, especially in the military and defense sectors, there are still very few women in senior positions in the U.S. military-industrial complex. The RAND Corporation, a global, nonprofit policy research center created in 1948, wanted to bring a much-needed female perspective to the fields of defense policy and national security.

Arab Military Women Take Part in UNESCO Workshop

NEWS

October 6, 2019: For the first time, female military personnel from the armed forces of Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq gathered at UNESCO’s regional office hall in Beirut to participate in a workshop on protecting cultural property during armed conflict. They did so along with female officers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

First Sisters to become U.S. Army Generals

NEWS

September 8, 2019: One sister had wanted to be a soldier since she was young; the other planned to have a career in the Foreign Service. Both marked a milestone for the U.S. Army this summer: Maj. Gen. Maria Barrett and Brig. Gen. Paula Lodi are believed to be the first pair of sisters to become generals, the military branch’s highest category of rank.

U.S. Marine Corps Captain Makes History by Becoming First Female F-35B Jet Pilot

NEWS

September 5, 2019: Almost 25 years after having their first female aviator, the Marines have their first female F-35B jet pilot.Marine Capt. Anneliese Satz, 29, from Boise, Idaho, has become the first female F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jet pilot.

South Africa - Mapisa-Nqakula Addresses Woman’s Day Parade

NEWS

September 4, 2019: Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, joined the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on 29 August in paying tribute to all female serving members at the annual Woman’s Day Parade held in Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria.

Where Are the Plastic Army Women?

NEWS

August 15, 2019: When 6-year-old Vivian Lord was disappointed to find that her new set of green plastic soldiers were all male figures, she decided to take it up directly with various toy makers, penning letters to three different companies in an effort to add a little enlightenment to some antiquated business practices.

Comment on UK Military’s Means of Dealing with Harassment

NEWS

July 23, 2019: Letter to the Times Newspaper on 18th July 2019 from Bob Scott, Solicitor Advocate, Salisbury, Wiltshire

ASPI Examines Australia's Approach to Women, Peace, and Security

NEWS

July 7, 2019: The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has recently published a series of reports examining Australia's approach to providing roles for women in sectors affecting peace and security.

Urgent support needed for children born from misconduct by personnel serving with the UN

NEWS

The UN has received over 700 paternity/child support claims implicating peace operations personnel since 2006

Major General Anita Asmah becomes the UN’s first African woman Force Commander

NEWS

“Only by excelling in our responsibilities can we pave the way for more women to take on command positions and truly transform the landscape of peacekeeping operations” – Major General Anita Asmah

Breaking the combat glass ceiling: Kenya's all-women Haiti mission marks historic shift in security sector

NEWS

Kenya sends an all-women peacekeeping contingent of police officers from the Special Weapons and Tactics Team to Haiti

Mary Catherine Demontato, UN Police In South Sudan: “When You Empower A Woman, You Build A Nation.”

NEWS

Mary Catherine Demontano, a UN Police officer in Aweil, South Sudan, champions women's empowerment as essential for nation-building and peacekeeping.

How the Network for Uniformed Women Peacekeepers is helping the UN support women peacekeepers

NEWS

The Network for Uniformed Women Peacekeepers seeks to enhance female representation in UN peacekeeping missions and create a supportive community for women

Elsie Initiative Fund Report: An Overview

NEWS

The percentage of women in EIF-supported T/PCC military contingents rose from 6.3% in 2018 to 10.5% in 2023

Ghana Navy’s First Female Commanding Officer Inspires Others

NEWS

“There’s more room for more women to be appointed in higher positions in the armed forces,” says Lt. Cdr. Priscilla Ami Dogbeda Dzokoto

Peacekeeper Major Radhika Sen Wins 2023 Military Gender Advocate of Year Award

NEWS

The Award recognises the dedication and efforts of an individual military peacekeeper in promoting WPS principles

Justice officer from DR Congo mission wins UN Trailblazer award

NEWS

Acknowledging exceptional contributions made by women justice and corrections officers serving from Member States across the world, who challenge gender stereotypes and barriers

Vietnam adopts its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan

NEWS

Vietnam is the third ASEAN member state to adopt the WPS agenda

Report of the Secretary-General on Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse

NEWS

The report shows more than 750 allegations of SEA were received by the UN in 2023

Women and Specialised Police Teams (SPTs) in UN Peace Operations

NEWS

International Peace Institute advises institutional reforms necessary to increase women's representation in SPTs

South Sudan UN Peacekeeping Mission holds human rights and GBV workshop

NEWS

Teachers, women’s representatives, and the South Sudan National Police Service participated

Liberia Names First Female Defence Minister

NEWS

Brigadier-General Geraldine George appointed shortly after women's protests

Women peacekeepers help dismantle patriarchal stereotypes in local communities

NEWS

Women peacekeepers in Africa help to break down traditional gender barriers, and motivate and empower local women to take on non-traditional roles monopolised by men in the security sector

Foreign ministers of Indonesia and Japan discuss progress toward the WPS agenda

NEWS

The Peacebuilding Program of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation host the event "Why do we need women's perspectives? Female Foreign Ministers of Japan and Indonesia Talk"

Report shows AI has a negative influence on UN peacekeeping

NEWS

AI-powered disinformation has already begun to endanger UN peace and humanitarian operations

Women-led US ministerial delegation commits to UN gender goals

NEWS

US pledges to participate in a women's body armour pilot programme and to increased funding for women police peacekeeping training

First Azerbaijani woman peacekeeper deployed

NEWS

Major Latifa Rustamova is being deployed as a military observer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan

Ghana Armed Forces reaches 19% female deployment in peacekeeping operations

NEWS

Ghana has now exceeded the United Nations' 9% target

Indonesian Peacekeeper to Receive 2023 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year Award

NEWS

At 27-years-old, Police First Sergeant Renita Rismayanti is the youngest recipient of the award

Promoting Women in Law Enforcement in the Asia-Pacific

NEWS

Women are often excluded from specialised and continuous training programmes

Ghanaian Woman Peacekeeper wins UN’s 2023 Military Gender Advocate award

NEWS

Captain Cecilia Erzuah, commander of a Ghanaian engagement platoon with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, in Sudan, has been awarded the UN’s prestigious 2023 Military Gender Advocate of the Year award.

WIIS Brussels recommends 10 gender-sensitive policies to improve women's representation in security and counterterrorism sectors

NEWS

Global average number of women serving in the military increases by 1.2%, number of women police officers decreases by 1.3%

Ghanaian peacekeeper named UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year

NEWS

Captain Cecilia Erzuah named UN Military Gender Advocate of 2023 after improving community engagement and spreading awareness of GBV, first reported by UN News

WPS Achievements in Contingent Owned Equipment Manual Negotiations

NEWS

Revisions to the UN Contingent Owned Equipment Manual, bringing it closer to WPS goals

UN celebrates 75-year anniversary of peacekeeping

NEWS

UN marks the 75th anniversary of peacekeeping with 'Peace Begins with Me' photo exhibit at the General Assembly Visitor's Lobby at the UN Headquarters in New York, first reported by UN News

ELSIE Initiative Call for Proposals

NEWS

On Thursday (30th March) representatives from around the world met in New York to launch a new call for proposals to fund projects, assessments and schemes to support the greater inclusion of women in peacekeeping operations. The Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) has awarded over 17 million dollars' worth of funding to support the increased representation of women in security services since its creation in 2019.

African women leaders launch equality drive

NEWS

Almost 400 women leaders from 15 African countries participated in last week’s three day conference organised by the UN.

New grant to Zambia to boost women peacekeepers

NEWS

Zambia’s police force will receive a grant of nearly $1 million to boost women’s participation in UN peace operations.

2022 International Day of Peace seeks an End to Racism

NEWS

This week saw observation of the International Day of Peace. Established in 1981 by the United Nations, 21st September is devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.

Ghana Gets Grant To Increase Women Peacekeepers

NEWS

Ghana has secured funding to increase the number of military women in their peacekeeping missions including command positions

Liberia’s women peacekeepers honoured in South Sudan

NEWS

UN Police officers Elfreda Dennice Steward, Rachel Briggs, and Alfreda Tozay were three women among the nine Liberian officers .....

UN Woman Police Officer of the Year 2022

NEWS

Chief Warrant Officer Alizeta Kabore Kinda of Burkina Faso has become the 12th recipient of the United Nations Award for Woman Police Officer of the Year. She is the first member of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to be awarded this honour.

Mongolia celebrates 20 years of peacekeeping missions

NEWS

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Mongolia’s deployment with UN Peacekeeping missions. To celebrate this achievement Mongolia held its first-ever international conference in support of UN Resolution 1325, 'Women, Peace and Security'

WPS seminar in Chile aims to make Armed Forces More Ready, More Resilient, and More Effective

NEWS

A Women Peace and Security seminar organised by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the Chilean Joint Peacekeeping Operations Center (CECOPAC) was recently held in Santiago, Chile. Participants discussed how gender integration in the armed and security forces in the fields of education, recruitment and promotion, could be improved.

Blue on Blue – Investigating Sexual Abuse of Peacekeepers

NEWS

SecurityWomen welcomes new research published by the InternationalPeace Institute (IPI) looking into the sexual abuse of peacekeepers by those with whom they work along side. It is important to set an international standard of safety and security for serving peacekeepers that will encourage more women to take up careers in these roles.

Saudi Arabia allows women to join Border Guards

NEWS

Women in Saudi Arabia are to be allowed to join the country’s Border Guards as part of the Interior Ministry’s plan to increase the number of women in government and private sector roles.

UN Lebanon mission pioneers gender-sensitive peacekeeping

NEWS

The Interim Force in Lebanon will become the first peacekeeping mission to invest in gender-sensitive housing and improved working conditions.

Women, Peace, and What is Security?

NEWS

In 2000 the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security with a key priority of Increasing the participation of women in peacemaking and conflict prevention. Over the ensuing years and during this past year in particular some have questioned whether the security should be defined more broadly.

Female Soldiers Are Changing How Armed Forces Work

NEWS

Between 1957 and 1989 only 20 women ever served as un peacekeepers, anywhere. But the number of female soldiers has been growing of late.

EU Commits to Leading by Example in Promoting Women, Peace, and Security Goals

NEWS

Recently, the EU has reinforced its commitment to promoting gender equality in the terrain of war and peace, announcing that it has the ambition to play a ‘leading role as a gender equality and catalyst’ and to ‘lead by example’ in the global promotion of WPS goals in the years to come.

Empowering Women in Peace Operations Remains Top Priority, Says UN Peacekeeping Chief

NEWS

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, spoke at a side event focusing on “Women Leaders in the Military”, part of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

U.S. Department of Defense's Adoption of Women, Peace, and Security Framework Incorporates New Approach to Human Rights

NEWS

The U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) approach to international human rights law (IHRL) has been the subject of substantial criticism, focused on the perception that the U.S. rejects a role for IHRL during military operations. The reality is more nuanced. The department’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Strategic Framework, issued last year, is a valuable illustration of this subtlety, and portends a shift in DOD’s relationship with and the interpretation and applicability of IHRL.

Namibia Launches the International Women Peace Centre

NEWS

The Government of the Republic of Namibia has repeatedly affirmed its commitments towards sustainable peace.

Women Peace Builders Are Essential For Sustainable World Peace

NEWS

As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), some 90 countries have crafted National Action Plans (NAPs) based on the critical framework for decision-making and sustainable solutions. Yet UN Women’s Deputy Chief, Peace and Security, Sarah Douglas says with governments’ insufficient progress on implementation, women remain largely shut out of local, national, regional, and international decision making.

Progress Toward Gender Balance in Peacekeeping in 'Peril,' Committee Told

NEWS

The United Nations' goal of getting more women to serve in peacekeeping missions in conflict zones is at risk now because of the global pandemic and an erratic approach to gender equality taken by countries before the pandemic hit, a Canadian diplomat said this week.

UN Special Political Missions in Colombia on Women, Peace and Security

NEWS

The Colombian peace process and its 2016 Final Peace Agreement are widely held to be an international model for gender-sensitivity and the inclusion of women’s rights.

New Security Council Resolution on Women and Peacekeeping Announced

NEWS

SecurityWomen welcomes the new UN Security Council Resolution 2538 announced on the 28 August 2020 calling for greater action to bolster the role of women — both uniformed and civilian — in all levels of peacekeeping.

Where Are the Women Peacemakers?

NEWS

Who should be but isn’t at the peace talks table for the many wars afflicting the daily lives of millions? Women. They do the work on the ground but are cut out of negotiations for peace.

On Peacekeepers Day, UN to Spotlight Vital Role of Women Peace Operations

NEWS

This year's theme for the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is Women in Peacekeeping.

International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2020: Women in Peacekeeping, a Key to Peace

NEWS

Every year on 29 May, the United Nations commemorates the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. On this day, we pay tribute to all the women and men who have served as military, police or civilians in UN Peacekeeping operations. We commend their professionalism, dedication and courage and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

Female Peacekeepers Should be Climbing the Ladder

NEWS

In a recent interview with DefenceWeb, Bintou Keita, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, discusses the benefits and challenges of bringing more women into peacekeeping.

1325 and Beyond Essay Contest Announced

NEWS

Women In International Security (WIIS) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC are excited to announce that the 1325 And Beyond Essay Competition is now accepting submissions!

The First-Ever Female Pakistani UN Peacekeeping Team Just Won a Medal

NEWS

A small team of Pakistani women is receiving major recognition for being the first all-female group from the country to carry out a UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

NATO Adopts First-ever Policy on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

NEWS

NATO has adopted its first policy on preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse. The policy, which applies to all personnel, makes clear NATO’s zero-tolerance approach. This robust policy defines what behaviours are unacceptable, how to prevent them, and how Allies will work collectively to ensure accountability.

Expanding Gendered Understandings Key to Protection Concerns

NEWS

November 22, 2019: This recent report from the International Peace Institute addresses the need to re-examine assumptions about gender when seeking to understand the difficulties in implementing UN Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Despite nearly two decades of resolutions, policies, and rhetoric related to the WPS agenda, women’s participation in UN peacekeeping has only modestly increased and many components of the agenda remain woefully under-addressed.

UN Female Police Officer of the Year, Major Seynabou Diouf of Senegal

NEWS

November 5, 2019:Major Seynabou Diouf of the Senegal National Police has been selected as the 2019 United Nations Female Police Officer of the Year.

UN Deputy Secretary‑General Amina Mohammed Addresses Need for Gender Equality in Peacemaking

NEWS

October 26, 2019: In an address to the African Union Peace and Security Council, in Addis Ababa, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed confirmed the Secretary General's strong commitment to women’s leadership and political participation as part of his vision for conflict prevention:

Lebanon Finally Adopts its First National Action Plan for Lebanese Women

NEWS

September 20, 2019: On September 12, the government of Lebanon endorsed the country’s first National Action Plan (NAP) to increase the engagement of women in security and peace, while enhancing their protection and leadership. This plan aims to implement Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, offering a comprehensive national framework for the long term stability and security of Lebanon and a building block for the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

My Year in Africa: Why This Brazilian Woman Peacekeeper Wants to Return

NEWS

September 13, 2019: Lieut. Comdr. Marcia Braga, left, a 45-year-old Brazilian naval officer, spent a year as a UN military gender adviser in the war-wracked Central African Republic, above. She called it “the most rewarding experience she has ever had.”

International Day of Peace September 21

NEWS

September 13, 2019: 21 September marks the International Day of Peace, which was established in 1981 by a unanimous resolution in the UN’s General Assembly. To mark the day, Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) and over 100 additional peacebuilding organizations from throughout the world issued a statement to United Nations Member States that brings attention to peace concerns.

Women, Peace, and Security Report 2019

NEWS

August 28, 2019: In the fall of 2018, World Pulse crowdsourced the stories, experiences, and expertise of women across the world to democratize peacebuilding and security efforts. Together with partners Our Secure Future and the Women's Alliance for Security Leadership - ICAN, they collected women’s voices to shed light on what peace and security means to those who are most immediately impacted by it. They also conducted a global survey to hear from women worldwide. Nearly 350 women responded to the survey in addition to 150 World Pulse members who shared personal narratives on WorldPulse.com.

ASPI Examines Australia's Approach to Women, Peace, and Security

NEWS

July 7, 2019: The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has recently published a series of reports examining Australia's approach to providing roles for women in sectors affecting peace and security.

Aided by a Female Squad Leader, US Soldiers Demonstrate Peacekeeping with Women in Mind

NEWS

June 27, 2019: Four Arizona National Guardsmen went house to house in a mock village set up on a grassy plain in rural Kazakhstan, searching for an enemy weapons cache.At many of the houses, women acting out the scenario during the Steppe Eagle exercise told the American soldiers that their culture did not allow them to enter unless a female servicemember was present.That’s where this particular squad of guardsmen stood out: Led by the first female infantry squad leader in the Arizona National Guard, Staff Sgt. Jenna Ross, the squad entered and searched the houses for the hidden weapons.

Rwandan Female Police Officers Scaling Heights Of Policing Career

NEWS

May 30, 2019: In March 2019, the United Nations expressed its gratitude to a Rwandan Police Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Teddy Ruyenzi, for her outstanding role in UN peacekeeping. ACP Ruyenzi, who is among the top most senior police officers at the rank of ACP, leads a trail-blazing force of 160-strong all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) in the Republic of South Sudan under the United Nations Mission in Southern Sudan (UNMISS).

Blue Helmets: Model for Global Partnership

NEWS

May 13, 2019: Retno LP Marsudi, Foreign Minister of Indonesia, delivered a speech touching upon the importance of female peacekeepers on May 7 at the United Nations Security Council. Minister Marsudi noted that "investing in women equals investing in peace. Female peacekeepers are more effective in winning the hearts and minds of local populations;providing comfort for those traumatized by conflicts.

Women Still Underrepresented in International Peacekeeping Missions

NEWS

April 22, 2019: Despite greater participation of women in building and sustaining peace and recognition from all quarters for the value they bring, the number of women taking part in peacekeeping operations remains low. According to the United Nations, women represent about 4% of the military peacekeepers and 10% of the police. The lack of women participation was the main subject of discussion at the high-level meeting for the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Focal Points.

Women Must be at ‘Centre of Peacekeeping Decision-Making’: UN Chief

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April 16, 2019: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said women’s rights, voices and participation must be at “the centre of peacekeeping decision-making”.

ICAN Lists 10 Steps to Increase Women’s Participation in Peacekeeping and Reduce Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

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April 1, 2019: The International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) recently argued for the importance of women's participation in peacekeeping and laid out 10 steps that would foster increased participation.

Brazilian United Nations Peacekeeper Receives Gender Advocate Award

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March 28, 2019: António Guterres will bestow naval officer, Lieutenant Commander Marcia Andrade Braga, with the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award during the 2019 Peacekeeping Ministerial conference due to be held at UN Headquarters in New York this Friday.

UN’s Special Rep Wants More Women Helping Solve Cyprus Unity

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March 2, 2019: Canadian diplomat Elizabeth Spehar, the United Nations Special Representative for Cyprus, said more women should be involved in helping bring reunification to the island divided since an unlawful 1974 invasion that saw Turkey occupy the northern third. The UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) is the first mission in the 71-year history of UN peacekeeping to have a woman as the Head of Mission, as well as female leadership in both uniformed components.

African Women Surmount Obstacles to Redefine Their Countries’ Militaries

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February 25, 2019: For hundreds of years, women have played a vital role in African peace and security. They’ve sacrificed in liberation struggles and offered unique skills in peacekeeping operations.

Ethiopian Government Commits to Enhancing Women’s Participation in Peacekeeping

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February 13, 2019: The Ethiopian government has vowed to enhance women’s participation in the military, police and the civilian services of the United Nations Peacekeeping. Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, speaking at the opening of a two-day Preparatory Meeting on Women, Peace and Security with the Canada authorities and the United Nations (UN) in Addis Ababa recently, stated that, “Ethiopia welcomes the progress made in mainstreaming, the agenda perspective in the works of the UN.".

Female SANDF Commander Leads Combat Engagement in Sudan

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January 24, 2019: A female South African National Defence Force (SANDF) commander taking part in the withdrawal of equipment from the peacekeeping mission in Sudan has led an engagement with local militia.

Women Working For Peace – The Story Of Ghanian Battalion

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January 11, 2019: Women play a vital role in United Nations peacekeeping operations. From conducting patrols, to providing medical assistance and interacting with the communities, UN women peacekeepers not only serve in furthering peace, they also serve as great role models. UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is one of the peacekeeping missions where currently roughly five per cent of its some 10,300 peacekeepers are women. That is a slight increase from nearly four percent in 2010, and the Mission, mandated by the UN Security Council, is putting added emphasis to bring numbers up.Among UNIFIL’s current 42 troop-contributing countries, and with 105 women in uniform, the Republic of Ghana is leading the way with the highest number of women peacekeepers. This is about 12 per cent of the Ghanaian Battalion’s total strength in UNIFIL.

CYPRUS: First Time in UN History a Mission and Peace Force is Led by Women

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January 11, 2019: When UN chief of mission Elizabeth Spehar, welcomed new commander of the peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Major General Cheryl Pearce from Australia, it was a landmark in United Nations history. It's the first time that the top three positions in a UN peacekeeping mission - civilian, military and police - have all been held by women.

UN Female Police Officer Of 2018 Winner: Phyllis Ama Tebuah Osei

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December 6, 2018: Chief Superintendent Phyllis Ama Tebuah Osei of the Ghanian Police has been named the UN Female Police Officer of the Year 2018, for her peacekeeping efforts as part of the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

The Women Keeping Peace in the Deadliest Place

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November 21, 2018: Superintendent Catherine Ugorji is settling in for another 24-hour shift monitoring UN patrols in the troubled Malian city of Gao. This formidable Nigerian policewoman cracks jokes with colleagues from Burkina Faso and Tunisia in fluent French, and scans her computer screen for the evening's planned routes. As a woman, she is a highly unusual presence on the sprawling UN base here, where the prefabricated buildings, mess hall and football field are all full of men. She is one of just 477 female police and military working for Mali's 15,000-strong peacekeeping mission, and the UN would like to recruit more. But the job is a difficult sell.

A Call for More Women to Serve with United Nations Police

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November 14, 2018: More women officers are needed in the United Nations Police to make the organization more efficient and reach the entire population that they serve, a senior UN peacekeeping official recently told the Security Council.

At Last, Another Female UN Force Commander

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November 11, 2018: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently announced the appointment of Australian Brigadier Cheryl Pearce, on promotion to major general, as the next force commander of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP). It’s a significant decision not only for Australia, but also for the international community.

Why Women, Peace, and Security? Why Now?

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November 5, 2018: In many of the world’s most intransigent conflicts, women are mobilized to address the most urgent issues in their communities. Syrian women are negotiating humanitarian relief at the local level and are in the top ranks of the Syrian opposition negotiating team. Women in Central African Republic mediate between local armed groups. Former Central African Republic head of state Madame Catherine Samba-Panza co-chairs a senior level network of African women mediators. In Myanmar, Rohingya women are documenting the crimes carried about by the Tatmadaw and women are negotiating ceasefires in Kachin State.

Increasing Female Participation in Peacekeeping Operations

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October, 15, 2018: A recent Council on Foreign Relations report has recommended that the U.S. government should support a UN premium for police- and troop-contributing countries to increase the training and deployment of female peacekeepers. Women are routinely underrepresented in peacekeeping operations, even though their participation has been shown to improve mission effectiveness and advance stability.

At UNGA, New Resolution Reiterates Importance of Female Peacekeepers

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October 10, 2018: A US-led Security Council resolution focused on improving peacekeepers’ performance was approved on Sept 21, 2018, but is devoid of how the UN will measure such assessments’, according to Passblue, an independent group reporting on the UN.

Female Participation Strengthens Peacekeeping Protection Efforts

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October 10, 2018: U.S. Army Africa collaborates with its African partners to increase the ability of peacekeepers to protect civilians in an increasingly dangerous field environment meeting congressional, United Nations, and African Union mandates to protect civilians.

Women’s Roles as UN Peacekeepers: A Status Report

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October 9, 2018: Women have historically been underrepresented across the United Nations system, but notably in peacekeeping, one of the most highly visible activities of the world body. And while the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations publishes monthly data on troop- and police-contributing countries, by missions and by gender, the numbers are not easily comprehensible.

South Sudan’s Women Peacekeepers Tackle the Problems That Men Can’t

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October 9, 2018: The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has few women in its ranks – just slightly more than the worldwide average. However, they play an important role in gathering information from the population and helping the local police investigate sexual and gender-based violence.

Canada’s Elsie Initiative update at United Nations General Assembly

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October 2, 2018: On September 26, Chrystia Freeland held a successful Elsie Initiative side event at the United Nations General Assembly. She announced a number of major updates to the Initiative.

Female Participation Strengthens Peacekeeping Protection Efforts

NEWS

August 28, 2018: U.S. Army Africa collaborates with its African partners to increase the ability of peacekeepers to protect civilians in an increasingly dangerous field environment meeting congressional, United Nations, and African Union mandates to protect civilians.

Finland Has Second Thoughts about its Women Soldiers

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July 10, 2018: Finnish women have been doing voluntary military service since 1995 and this year a record 1,500 applied. But for the first time since the military was opened up to women, the idea has been floated of temporarily excluding them as a way of cutting costs.

Rwanda to send all-woman peacekeeping force to South Sudan

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July 9, 2018: Rwanda is set to send an all-female formed police unit for deployment in South Sudan under the UN peacekeeping mission, the Rwandan police said Tuesday. The contingent is the first female team to be sent on a foreign mission by the country.

Ready for Peacekeeping Deployment, with a Gender Lens

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May 29, 2018: Captain Anaseini Navua Vuniwaqa of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, has taken part in two very different kinds of UN Peacekeeper trainings. At the UN Staff Officer’s Course in Beijing in 2017, she was the only international woman participant. In April 2018, she travelled to India to participate in the ninth edition of the Female Military Officers’ Course (FMOC), which aims to bridge the gender gap in UN peacekeeping. The two-week course organized by UN Women and partners, provides specialized training for female military officers around the world to create a global network of trained women peacekeepers.

Justin Trudeau Introduces Elsie Initiative on Women in Peace Operations

NEWS

November 22, 2017: On November 15, Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will launch the Elsie Initiative on Women in Peace Operations. Canada will work with the UN and interested member states to develop innovative approaches to overcome the barriers to women’s meaningful participation in peace operations. Canada will pilot these approaches with a small number of countries that share Canada’s ambition.

Woman Peacekeeper Wins the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award

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November 16, 2017: A UN peacekeeper from South Africa was today awarded the United Nations’ Military Gender Advocate of the Year in Vancouver, Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, presented the award to Major Seitebatso Pearl Block as part of the UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial taking place from 14-15 November for her outstanding work on the frontlines of UN peacekeeping.

Canada to Send More Women to Conflict Zones

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November 1, 2017: Canada is stepping up efforts to put gender issues front and centre in conflict zones, including the deployment of more women soldiers on peace support missions, elements of a strategy that will be part of long-awaited peacekeeping initiatives expected in the coming weeks.

UN Chief Asks All Nations to Sign New Pact Protecting Women

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Haunted by accumulating reports of sexual exploitation and abuse of women and girls by United Nations peacekeepers and others attached to UN missions around the world, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is taking the bold, unprecedented step of asking all governments to sign a compact pledging to prevent and stop these violations.

Women Peacekeepers in Short Supply

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June 21, 2017: Next week, António Guterres will mark six months in what has been called “the most impossible job on earth,” the position of United Nations secretary-general.

May 29 is International Day of UN Peacekeepers

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May 23, 2017: The theme for the 2017 International Day of UN Peacekeepers is “Investing in Peace Around the World.”

U.S. Efforts to Promote Women, Peace, and Security in Peacekeeping

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May 11, 2017: In its official blog, the U.S. Department of State reports on steps taken through the Global Peace Operative...

NATO Endorses New Policy on Women, Peace, and Security

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The new document provides a political framework for the NATO Alliance to further promote the WPS agenda

Peacekeeper Major Radhika Sen Wins 2023 Military Gender Advocate of Year Award

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The Award recognises the dedication and efforts of an individual military peacekeeper in promoting WPS principles

UN releases Navigating Challenges and Driving Change report on Women, Peace and Security

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The report focuses on strategies towards achieving Women, Peace and Security (WPS) goals, as well as the progress made by the Secretary-General's Action for Peacekeeping Priorities on WPS.

Justice officer from DR Congo mission wins UN Trailblazer award

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Acknowledging exceptional contributions made by women justice and corrections officers serving from Member States across the world, who challenge gender stereotypes and barriers

Thailand hosts regional workshop on community-oriented policing

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In the words of Brigadier General Nov Ratana: “Women can serve communities and the nation”

IDRC awards on women, peace and security support research on conflict-related sexual violence

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The research projects will focus on the present-day challenges of women survivors of wartime sexual violence in Liberia and survivor inclusion in transitional justice processes in Nigeria’s North East zone

NATO Holds Deep Dive Session on Women, Peace and Security

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88% of NAPs advocate for increased female representation in the defence sector and armed forces

Vietnam adopts its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan

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Vietnam is the third ASEAN member state to adopt the WPS agenda

Women and Specialised Police Teams (SPTs) in UN Peace Operations

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International Peace Institute advises institutional reforms necessary to increase women's representation in SPTs

Brazilian Armed Forces take historic steps toward the inclusion of women in their operational sectors

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Brazilian Army Aviation and Navy increase women's inclusion in training courses

Exchanging ideas to close the gender gap in South and South-East Asia

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Participants from across South and South-East Asia attended the Regional Workshop on Gender-Responsive Community-Oriented Policing

First all-women crew complete NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force sortie

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The Women’s Initiative Team organised the mission to champion equality and inclusion

NATO International Military Staff Office of the Gender Advisor holds fourth regional Deep Dive session

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The session discussed the Balkans and the Gender Perspective

Foreign ministers of Indonesia and Japan discuss progress toward the WPS agenda

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The Peacebuilding Program of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation host the event "Why do we need women's perspectives? Female Foreign Ministers of Japan and Indonesia Talk"

Women-led US ministerial delegation commits to UN gender goals

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US pledges to participate in a women's body armour pilot programme and to increased funding for women police peacekeeping training

First Azerbaijani woman peacekeeper deployed

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Major Latifa Rustamova is being deployed as a military observer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan

Indonesian Peacekeeper to Receive 2023 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year Award

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At 27-years-old, Police First Sergeant Renita Rismayanti is the youngest recipient of the award

Promoting Women in Law Enforcement in the Asia-Pacific

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Women are often excluded from specialised and continuous training programmes

United States and Romania Host Fifth Capital-Level Meeting of the Women, Peace, and Security Focal Points Network

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The United States and Romania co-chair the fifth Capital-Level Meeting of the WPS-FPN in Washington, D.C. from June 6-8

Ghanaian peacekeeper named UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year

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Captain Cecilia Erzuah named UN Military Gender Advocate of 2023 after improving community engagement and spreading awareness of GBV, first reported by UN News

Latin American and Caribbean partners meet in Washington for WPS workshop

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A group of 63 civilian and military representatives met at the Perry Center on April 12, 2023 to discuss WPS policy-making, first reported in Dialogos Americas.

International Day of the Girl Child 2022

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Security Women celebrates female security role models on the United Nations Day of the Girl Child.

UN Woman Police Officer of the Year 2022

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Chief Warrant Officer Alizeta Kabore Kinda of Burkina Faso has become the 12th recipient of the United Nations Award for Woman Police Officer of the Year. She is the first member of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to be awarded this honour.

Parliamentary Bill will ensure improved accountability of progress on UK’s Women Peace and Security (WPS) National Action Plan (NAP)

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A private member’s Bill, requiring annual accountability by the UK government for progress on the WPS NAP, is to be put before the UK Parliament’s House of Lords in September.

Saudi Arabia allows women to join Border Guards

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Women in Saudi Arabia are to be allowed to join the country’s Border Guards as part of the Interior Ministry’s plan to increase the number of women in government and private sector roles.

Removing Barriers for Women in Law Enforcement in Canada

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Superintendent Kara Triance is the first female Officer in Charge at the Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police Detachment. SecurityWomen supports women like Kara and the work they do for gender diversity.

Two Women’s Experience of UK Policing

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Sisters Torie Harrison and Georgie Watts both serve as police officers in Northamptonshire. SecurityWomen hopes that female role models like these sisters will encourage more women and girls to make a career in policing.

Conflict in Ukraine

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The EU and North American Civil Society Women’s Alliance Caucus Statement on Ukraine: At a time when the world is facing manifold challenges including rapid climate change, health pandemics, conflict, violence against women and girls, is it not time for humanity to shake off the lethargy that prevents substantive positive change and declare it is time to stop?

More than 100 new police officers set to join Staffordshire’s police force in coming year

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Staffordshire police force's recent recruits will include more women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds than ever before.

UN Lebanon mission pioneers gender-sensitive peacekeeping

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The Interim Force in Lebanon will become the first peacekeeping mission to invest in gender-sensitive housing and improved working conditions.

Women, Power and Peacebuilding: Assessing the Women Peace and Security Agenda

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In a recent interview Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) and director of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security at the London School of Economics discusses what has been accomplished by the Women Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda thus far and what more needs to be done.

Empowering Women in Peace Operations Remains Top Priority, Says UN Peacekeeping Chief

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Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, spoke at a side event focusing on “Women Leaders in the Military”, part of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Understanding Relevance of Women, Peace & Security in Arms Control & Disarmament

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What does the Women, Peace and Security Agenda have to do with arms control and disarmament?

Namibia Launches the International Women Peace Centre

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The Government of the Republic of Namibia has repeatedly affirmed its commitments towards sustainable peace.

Progress Toward Gender Balance in Peacekeeping in 'Peril,' Committee Told

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The United Nations' goal of getting more women to serve in peacekeeping missions in conflict zones is at risk now because of the global pandemic and an erratic approach to gender equality taken by countries before the pandemic hit, a Canadian diplomat said this week.

Femwise-Africa Key Player in African Union's Silence the Guns Agenda

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July 29, 2019: Last week, nine precedent-setting, traditionally male-led chiefdoms in Cameroon’s North allowed women to begin presenting women’s matters to chiefs. The women can also now represent themselves, taking over from the men who did it for them.African women’s inclusion in peace processes has come about through years of efforts culminating in Femwise-Africa, a Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation which was established and situated under the umbrella of the AU’s Panel of the Wise in July 2017. Femwise-Africa is working to help implement an ambitious Silence the Guns by 2020 agenda.

ASPI Examines Australia's Approach to Women, Peace, and Security

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July 7, 2019: The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has recently published a series of reports examining Australia's approach to providing roles for women in sectors affecting peace and security.

Justin Trudeau Introduces Elsie Initiative on Women in Peace Operations

NEWS

November 22, 2017: On November 15, Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will launch the Elsie Initiative on Women in Peace Operations. Canada will work with the UN and interested member states to develop innovative approaches to overcome the barriers to women’s meaningful participation in peace operations. Canada will pilot these approaches with a small number of countries that share Canada’s ambition.

Shaheen's Women, Peace, and Security Act Signed into Law

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On October 6, Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-NH) bipartisan bill, the Women, Peace and Security Act, was signed into law by President Donald Trump. The bill bolsters the role of women in peace negotiations and conflict resolution around the world. Senator Shaheen, the only woman on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reintroduced the bill earlier this year with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

Lack of Women in Peace-Building Processes

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January 15, 2017: Seventeen years after the United Nations passed Resolution 1325, calling for an increased role for women in...

Saluting Women who make Peace’, WAND (Women’s Action for New Directions), 18th August 2015

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Wendy Sherman, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the US Government, was applauded by WAND for her part...

Women speak out for Peace

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The International Day of Peace is on 21st September.

Syrian Women Come Together to Fight Oppression

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October 6, 2016: The Committee of Diplomacy of Kongreya Star—a confederation of women’s organizations in Rojava, Syria...

Concern about the Future of Gender Equality in Foreign Policy

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December 5, 2016: Independent peace and conflict studies research institution PRIO in Oslo, Norway expressed concern...

Conferences Discuss Women's Beneficial Role in Peace and Security

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December 21, 2016: Inclusive Security's December newsletter reports on various conferences highlighting the added value of...

UK Reports Progress on its National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security

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December 14, 2016: The UK Department for International Development reports on progress made over the past year in delivering...

From Global Promise to National Action

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December 21, 2016: Since 2010, conflict and displacement have increased around the globe. Today’s wars increasingly...

NATO Takes Action Against Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

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November 6, 2016: NATO’s Military Guidelines on the Prevention of, and Response to, Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender-Based...

Women in Cybersecurity in collaboration with N2K releases new report

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The study benchmarks the skills of women in cybersecurity against industry standards, identifies growth areas, and guides targeted educational development.

Report shows AI has a negative influence on UN peacekeeping

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AI-powered disinformation has already begun to endanger UN peace and humanitarian operations

New report launched on state of inclusion of women in cybersecurity

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Women In CyberSecurity recently launched a study to better understand the experiences of women working in cyber security. The study pinpoints barriers that prevent women from being recruited, hired, retained and promoted in the sector at the same rate as men.

Guide for a Safer World Online for Women

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Here is a guide to help women stay safe online.

NATO supports women and girls in science for peace and security

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For the 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, NATO published the stories of three of the women they have supported through their careers under NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Programme.

Demand for Cybersecurity Talent Sets Salaries Soaring in U.S. and Canada

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Female Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are out earning their male counterparts.

CISA and Girls Who Code Announce Partnership to Create Cyber Career Pathways

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The U.S. based Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced a new partnership today with Girls Who Code (GWC) to develop pathways for young women to pursue careers in cybersecurity and technology.

A Diversity of Skills Found Among Women

NEWS

Some of those advocating for more women in the workplace use the potentially counterproductive argument that women innately bring much needed "soft skills" to the traditionally technical cybersecurity leadership community.

Women Technologists' Recommendations for Success in Cybersecurity

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This week, in Philadelphia, HUE Tech Summit for women technologists and techpreneurs of color focused its lessons entirely on opportunity in the cybersecurity sector.

The Opportunities—and Obstacles—for Women in U.S. Intelligence

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Three women working in cybersecurity in the US intelligence community discuss the progress of recent years and the work that remains.

UK Cyber Security Boss Calls on More Women to Join Her

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A leading cyber security firm boss is calling for other women to join her in the industry.

Boosting Gender Diversity in Cybersecurity

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Cybersecurity is one of the most fast-paced, rapidly evolving modern industries, however this evolution does not appear to apply to the number of women involved in the field.

Remote Work Could Help Cybersecurity’s Diversity Problem – But Will It?

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Job market data from the second quarter suggests there are increasing opportunities for women and minorities in the world of remote work, but long-standing biases may provide resistance.

Leadership Roles of Women in Cybersecurity

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Women are emerging as cybersecurity experts, with a much larger influx of women entering the field expected. And, women are ascending into senior or leadership positions within their companies, often through different pathways, according to results of the Women in Cybersecurity Survey to be presented by SANS Institute in two webcasts on March 17 and March 24.

Biased AI Is Another Sign We Need to Solve the Cybersecurity Diversity Problem

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Artificial intelligence (AI) excels at finding patterns like unusual human behavior or abnormal incidents. It can also reflect human flaws and inconsistencies, including 180 known types of bias. Biased AI is everywhere, and like humans, it can discriminate against gender, race, age, disability and ideology.

CEO Runs Her Cybersecurity Company From Sweet Home Chicago

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February 1, 2020: Ning Wang has traveled a long road to become CEO of Offensive Security, a company offering highly specialized training in cybersecurity for clients ranging from the U.S. Army to Amazon.

Recruiting and Retaining More Women in Cybersecurity

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November 29, 2019: The cybersecurity industry is facing a serious numbers problem as too many jobs go unfilled. A recent ESG study found that more than half of companies surveyed (53 percent) reported a significant shortage of cybersecurity skills within their organizations, and 63 percent of organizations aren’t able to provide adequate training for their cybersecurity professionals. While these numbers are alarming, one has to wonder: What if many of the industry’s most troubling issues could be improved with more women in cybersecurity?

Women in Cybersecurity: Where We Are and Where We’re Going

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September 25, 2019: An opinion piece in Scientific American discusses strategies for increasing the number of women in the burgeoning, male-dominated field of cybersecurity.

Women in Security Awards 2019: Special Recognition Award goes to Year 9 Student

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September 16, 2019: 9th grade student Tamara Baker was awarded the CSO Special Recognition award at the 2019 CSO Inaugural Women in Security Awards in September.

First Sisters to become U.S. Army Generals

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September 8, 2019: One sister had wanted to be a soldier since she was young; the other planned to have a career in the Foreign Service. Both marked a milestone for the U.S. Army this summer: Maj. Gen. Maria Barrett and Brig. Gen. Paula Lodi are believed to be the first pair of sisters to become generals, the military branch’s highest category of rank.

U.S. National Security Agency's Cybersecurity Summer Camp

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August 18, 2019: In 2014 not long after the National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed that the N.S.A. was monitoring the phone calls and e-mail of American citizens, Congress passed the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, to “strengthen cybersecurity research and development, workforce development and education.” The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act also spurred the N.S.A. to do something unexpected: it began sponsoring summer cybersecurity camps for children.

Anne Neuberger Tapped to Lead U.S. Cybersecurity Directorate

NEWS

July 24, 2019: The National Security Agency will create a cybersecurity directorate later this year as part of a wider effort to more closely align the agency’s offensive and defensive operations, U.S. officials said. Anne Neuberger has been tapped to lead the new directorate, slated to become operational Oct. 1

ASPI Examines Australia's Approach to Women, Peace, and Security

NEWS

July 7, 2019: The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has recently published a series of reports examining Australia's approach to providing roles for women in sectors affecting peace and security.

New Career Comeback Program Launched for Malaysian Women in Cyber Security

NEWS

June 26, 2019: A new program has been launched in Malaysia to support women in cyber security in returning to work, as shared on Ministry of Communications and Multimedia via Bernama.Known as ‘Empowering Women in Cyber Risk Management’, the program is a career comeback initiative that aims to overcome the talent gap faced by the cyber security industry.

Sue Black Champions Women in Cybersecurity

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June 2, 2019: One of the more compelling keynote speakers to appear at the upcoming Infosecurity Europe 2019 event in London, UK, is indubitably Professor Sue Black, until recently head of department of Computing Sciences at the University of Westminster. Now a full-time technology evangelist, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to technology in 2016.

Over 1,300 Women Gather at Women in CyberSecurity Conference in Pittsburgh

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April 17, 2019: The Women in CyberSecurity conference boasted a record high attendance while implementing new activities and programs for participants.