Center for Gender and Peacebuilding
Center Highlights
2012-2013 | National Peace Essay Contest
Gender, War and Peacebuilding
Each year USIP holds a National Peace Essay Contest (NPEC) for high school students based on the premise that questions about peace, justice, freedom, and security are vital to civic education. Each year over thousand students submit entries to the essay contest while thousands more participate in related writing and other classroom exercises in high schools around the country.
This year's essay contest highlights the importance of analyzing the role of gender in both understanding the impacts of war and the efforts to build peace. Learn more about the contest and application procedures for the USIP National Peace Essay Contest
July 2012 | Event
Peace Through Business Training Summit
In collaboration with the Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW), USIP co-hosted a two-day training summit for women entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda who participated in PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS. This international program provides meaningful business training and education as well as important mentoring for women business owners from post-conflict countries. Their last six weeks of the program is spent in the United States. With the understanding that economically stable societies have a much greater capacity for peace, USIP is active in supporting women in economic and peacebuilding activities. Learn more about USIP's Center for Sustainable Economies and IEEW’s PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS.
July 2012 | Course
Pilot: Gender and Peacebuilding Course
This course provided participants with an introduction and overview of internationally recognized gender and peacebuilding issues and terms, frameworks, foundational principles, and practices. It addressed key questions like: How is conflict different for women and men? Why is “gender” not a synonym for women? How does the understanding of gender role expectations assist in the analysis of conflict resolution? Learn more about USIP's course on gender and peacebuilding.
June 2012 | Event
Expert Dialogue on Women and Peacebuilding
Afghan and Iraqi women leaders met in Istanbul to map out practical steps forward for women in their own transitional countries. This first-of-its-kind dialogue is breaking down mutual stereotypes between Afghan and Iraqi women. Together both groups of women leaders express their concerns about the negative trends for women in North Africa, and want to offer their lessons learned from years of conflict and transition. Learn more about the outcomes of USIP's expert dialogue on women and peacebuilding.
June 2012 | Publication
Sexual Violence and Justice in Postconflict Peru
Wartime sexual violence is rooted in preconflict inequalities and also perpetuates peacetime violence, as the case of Peru shows. Peru can begin to break this cycle of violence by treating rape in war as a crime against humanity.
June 2012 | Event
Women Leading Change in Transitioning Societies
The U.S. Institute of Peace, in collaboration with Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, explored the kinds of leadership that are most effective in societies undergoing upheaval and/or transition. Women leaders from Liberia, Pakistan, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Samoa and Mexico offered compelling accounts of their innovative leadership approaches in two sessions at USIP on June 5. These women, who have just been recognized as the 2012 honorees of the annual Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards, are leading change in their transitioning societies through civil society, political activities, and private business.
May 2012 | Resource
Moving Forward with the Legal Empowerment of Women in Pakistan
There are a variety of contexts in which the empowerment of women in Pakistan can be considered, but none is more critical than law: How women’s legal rights are framed is fundamental to considering how best to advance women’s empowerment. After situating women’s legal rights in Pakistan, this Special Report reviews key features of recent legislation affecting women’s rights, explores the controversies surrounding this legislation, and elaborates on ongoing challenges to develop further legislation, particularly in light of opposition from Islamist groups.
May 2012 | Event
SAVING FACE - A Special Screening and Conversation with Oscar-Winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
USIP hosted a special screening of the Oscar-winning documentary “Saving Face,” followed by a conversation with filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on the documentary, and more broadly on the state of Pakistan’s women and how acid attack violence presents an opportunity for a greater role for women in addressing Pakistan’s challenges. Read how film shows the importance of confronting human rights abuses in Pakistan.
May 2012 | Event
Innovative Economic Partnerships with Women in Post-Conflict Transition
USIP’s Center for Gender and Peacebuilding, in collaboration with Kate Spade New York and Women for Women International, hosted a panel discussion to explore the impact of private business and civil society partnerships on women's empowerment in the post-conflict contexts of Afghanistan, Bosnia and Rwanda.
April 2012 | Event
Women, Peace and Technology
USIP’s senior program officer in the Rule of Law Center, Vivienne O’Connor, was invited by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson to deliver the keynote address at “Women, Technology, & Peacebuilding” conference in Dallas. The theme of this year’s conference, organized by Congresswoman Johnson, was “Technology and Peacebuilding.” O’Connor discussed the USIP-sponsored International Network to Promote the Rule of Law (INPROL), a global, online community of practice comprised of some 1,900 rule of law practitioners from 80 countries and 300 organizations. Learn more about INPROL.
April 2012 | Event
Briefing with the Hope Fellows from Kosovo
The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted eight Hope Fellows from Kosovo to discuss their efforts for increasing the economic empowerment and political participation of women. The Hope Fellowship was established by the National Albanian American Council (NAAC) to strengthen the role of women in policy and decision-making in the Balkans.
April 2012 | Event
Roundtable with Pakistani Women Leaders
The U.S. Institute of Peace co-hosted a coaltion of Pakistani women leaders with the Institute for Inclusive Security to discuss women's role in security and stability in Pakistan, highlighting the challenges they face in confronting extremism and what reform efforts they have undertaken. The coalition also discussed extremism in the media, education, and the religious sector. Read more about this coalition of Pakistani women and their visit to USIP.
- Read an article by the Huffington Post on "Pakistani Women Unite to Battle Religious Extremism"
- NPR wrote "Pakistani Moms Keep Sons From Being Radicalized"
- Read a piece by The News on "Pakistani women peace delegation in USA"
April 2012 | Event
Meeting with Women Members of the Afghan High Peace Council
The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted two women members of the Afghan High Peace Council in an off-the-record conversation about the status of women in Afghanistan.
March 2012 | Event
Meeting Recipients of the 2012 International Women of Courage Award
The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted two recipients of the 2012 International Women of Courage Award in an off-the-record conversation to discuss their innovative efforts to empower women and change societal perceptions of the role of women in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
March 2012 | Resource
Lessons from Women’s Programs in Afghanistan and Iraq
Despite years of efforts aimed at expanding women’s rights and opportunities in Iraq and Afghanistan, women in these countries face major obstacles in consolidating post-conflict gains. Recognizing that women’s empowerment contributes significantly to peace and stability, USIP convened experts to assess what has been learned from women’s programming in Afghanistan and Iraq, and what are the best practices for the way forward. Special Report by Kathleen Kuehnast, Manal Omar, Steven E. Steiner, and Hodei Sultan.
March 2012 | Event
Who Owns the Syrian Revolution?
As the Syrian uprising enters its second year, uncertainty about the challenges confronting women and minorities looms especially large. Women have played a critical role throughout the uprising, with activists like Suhair al-Attasi, Razan Zaitouneh, and others emerging as leaders of protest and resistance to the Assad regime. Yet their contributions have often been overshadowed. Questions persist about whether women’s concerns and perspectives will be fully addressed, either in the current uprising or in a potential post-Assad Syria. How can Syrian women ensure that their voices are heard as the revolution unfolds and a new Syria takes shape?
February 2012 | Event
Women, Peace and Security in Afghanistan: Prospects on the Way Forward
The Embassy of Finland and USIP hosted a panel discussion titled "Women, Peace, and Security in Afghanistan: Prospects on the Way Forward." The discussion offered a timely follow-up to the International Afghanistan Conference held in Bonn in December 2011. The panelists representing the governments of Afghanistan, Finland and the United States, as well as Afghan civil society examined ways to better ensure an active role for women in the current peace processes and reconstruction efforts.
January 2012 | Event
Pakistani Peacemakers: The Challenges for Civil Society Actors
The U.S. Institute of Peace, in collaboration with the Institute of Inclusive Security, hosted a panel of experts to examine the ways in which diverse civil society actors, including youth and women, as well as the media, religion and business communities, confront real conflicts with collaborative problem-solving approaches.
January 2012 | Resource
Haitian Women: The Centerposts of Reconstructing Haiti
Despite years of efforts aimed at expanding women’s rightsSince Haiti’s devastating January 2010 earthquake, women have played a vital role in their country’s response to the catastrophe. This Peace Brief, by USIP's Robert Maguire, discusses the pivotal roles women are playing in matters of family, education, health, commerce and the economy, and agriculture.
December 2011 | Resource
Gender and Statebuilding in South Sudan
The report is based on field research in Juba in February 2011 as well as previous and follow-up research by the author. It examines the risks and opportunities associated with gender and state building in South Sudan, analyzes priorities that South Sudanese women interviewees identified, and recommends ways to make the new state responsive to and reflective of the needs of all South Sudanese women and men.
December 2011 | Event
Women Fighting for Peace in Iraq
The U.S. Institute of Peace facilitated a discussion that featured two women NGO leaders from Iraq whose USIP-supported projects enable them to promote positive participatory roles for women as peacebuilders and provide mechanisms and strategies to combat discrimination and violence against women in Iraq.
November 2011 | Event
Haiti: Reconstruction and the Role of Women
A panel of distinguished experts discussed the situation of women in Haiti and their role in reconstruction. The event featured a delegation of women leaders from Haiti and an exhibition of photos taken by Haitian women depicting their lives in the tent cities around Port-au-Prince.
- View this exhibition of photos now!
- Watch the video recording of this event
- Read remarks by Danielle Saint-Lôt
Fall 2011 | Events
Women and War Series
With depth and complexity, the upcoming PBS five-part series, Women, War & Peace highlights the stories of women in conflict zones from Bosnia to Afghanistan, and Colombia to Liberia. It places women at the center of an urgent dialogue about conflict and security and reframes our understanding of modern warfare. The series spearheaded by Executive Producers Abigail E. Disney, Pamela Hogan, and Gini Reticker, is a co-production of THIRTEEN and Fork Films in association with WNET and ITVS for broadcast on PBS.
- September 13, 2011 – Liberian Women Peacemakers, Panel Discussion and Film
Location: Congressional Visitors Center Theater
Time: 6:00 - 7:45pm
- October 5, 2011 – Dilemma of Peace for Afghanistan Women, Panel Discussion and Film
Location: Congressional Visitors Center Theater
Time: 6:00 - 8:00pm - October 25, 2011 – Global Security: Through a Bosnian Lens with Amb. Swanee Hunt & Deputy Administrator Steinberg, Panel Discussion and Film
Location: U.S. Institute of Peace
Time: 3:00 - 5:30pm with reception to follow
July 2011 | Event
Informal Markets and Peacebuilding in North Korea
On July 19, USIP held a full day conference that explored how informal markets have been expanding in North Korea and what role women play in these markets, while highlighting transformations inside North Korea that have significant implications for the regime and the United States' policy on North Korea. A group of Seoul-based North Korean defectors spoke at the conference and shared their unique experiences and operational insights from conducting business within the informal markets.
June 2011 | Event
Second Annual Conference: Preventing Violent Conflict
For this second annual conference on conflict prevention, USIP brought together experts and policymakers to discuss challenges and opportunities for conflict prevention around the world. In one of the breakout sessions, policymakers discussed women and conflict, and why gender analysis is a critical tool for conflict prevention and early warning systems.
May 2011 | Event
Women and Entrepreneurship and Rebuilding War-torn Communities
Violent wars disrupt the social fabric of communities and impose severe limitations for women’s economic access during and after conflict. Nevertheless, women entrepreneurs in war-torn societies are reshaping the business landscape and stretching beyond the micro-lending niche. The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), hosted a public event focused on women and their understudied yet significant entrepreneurial activities underway in conflict and post-conflict societies. | Watch videos from this event.
Women & War Book Launch and Symposium
The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), Peace Research Institute-Oslo (PRIO), and Royal Norwegian Embassy hosted a book launch and international symposium on the next decade of UNSCR 1325 on the afternoon of May 5th and all day on May 6th. The symposium further examined the issues of women and war, power and protection in the 21st century, and explored the implementation of gender-sensitive policies in defense, diplomacy, development, and the role of documentary film, media and the arts in this endeavor. | Watch videos from the Women & War Symposium.
Spring 2011 | Resource
Why Women’s Involvement in Peacebuilding Matters
For the world to move forward on security issues in an effective manner, women will need to play a greater role in the process. This is not just a moral issue or question of equality; it is a matter of effectiveness and efficiency. As things stand now, we are losing half of the world’s creative potential by not including women in all aspects of global problem-solving. When it comes to settling conflicts, we know that there are many more approaches than simply picking up a gun and threatening our enemy. There are countless examples of women who have intervened in conflicts, but most of their stories have never been recorded, and their efforts are not counted. Read the full Foreign Service Journal article.
Spring 2011 | Resource
Women and War
Book by Kathleen Kuehnast, Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, and Helga Hernes, editors. In light of U.N. Resolution 1325 (which calls for women’s active participation in promoting peace and security and for greater efforts to protect women victimized by violence during and after conflict), this volume takes stock of the current state of knowledge on women, peace and security issues. It examines efforts to increase women’s participation in peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction strategies, as well as better interventions to protect women from wartime sexual violence.
March 2011 | Resource
Best way to make peace out of war? Women.
In today’s dangerous and conflict-stricken world, more needs to be done so that women are protected in conflict, but also engaged and counted in post-conflict resolution, especially peace building. Including women in peace negotiations is not just an issue of fairness or equity, but also of effectiveness and efficacy. Excluding women from the rebuilding process jeopardizes a society’s post-conflict recovery. Published by the Christian Science Monitor on March 8, 2011.
February 2011 | Event
Female Soldiers and DDR: Sierra Leone, Nepal, and Colombia
How are the roles of "soldier" and "victim" defined by post-conflict programs? Most disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs are limited in the ways in which issues specific to female combatants are addressed. At this public event panelists examined the particular challenges faced by female ex-combatants in post-conflict environments, and ways in which reintegration agencies and post-conflict programs can integrate gender into their work. | Watch the video from this event.
January 2011 | Event
Mainstreaming Gender in the Military and Security Sector Reform: The Role of Civil Society
USIP in partnership with Partners for Democratic Change, co-hosted a public event on January 19th highlighting the challenges faced by militaries in the 21st century with regards to the role of women in modern armed forces. Additionally, panelists discussed the role that civil society can play in security sector transformation, especially as it pertains to gender mainstreaming. | Watch videos of this event.
January 2011 | Resource
The Other Side of Gender: Including Masculinity Concerns in Conflict and Peacebuilding
The word gender is often used synonymously with reference to women. This limited approach overlooks the relational quality of gender and leaves out masculinity issues in analysis and research that can have important bearing on policy interventions.
January 2011 | Resource
Security After the Quake? Addressing Violence and Rape in Haiti
In the wake of Haiti’s disastrous earthquake, international organizations have begun to recognize gender-based violence as a significant area of concern, particularly within Port-au-Prince’s internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Grassroots organizations are working to reduce the incidence of gender-based violence and to establish local mechanisms for increasing security throughout Haiti’s tent encampments.
January 2011 | Resource
The Role of Women in Global Security
This report examines women’s roles in peacebuilding, postconflict reconstruction, and economic development. It draws on discussions at the conference on "The Role of Women in Global Security," held in Copenhagen on October 29–30, 2010, and co-hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Denmark and the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP).
In partnership with the Embassy of the United States in Copenhagen, Denmark. Learn more about "The Role of Women in Global Security".
January 2011| Resource
UNSCR 1325 Tutorial
This tutorial provides a broad overview of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The tutorial draws on USIP’s public events, publications, and multimedia to provide concrete examples and incorporates links to outside resources for additional exploration into this topic. Read the Resolution 1325 Tutorial.
November 3-5, 2010 | Event
Women and War Conference
On November 3-5, 2010 the U.S. Institute of Peace and its partners hosted a three-day Women and War Conference focused on the varied experiences of women during wartime and how to make sustained progress toward international peace and security. The conference featured an extraordinary coalition of national and international participants, including U.N. and U.S. government officials, the international diplomatic communities, military personnel, academics, civil society leaders, and practitioners in the fields of security, development, and conflict resolution. | Watch videos of the Women and War Conference.
View the November 4 Photo Gallery full screen
Additional Information on UNSCR 1325 Strategies for Implementation
See a comprehensive list of USIP’s gender related events and resources
The Center for Gender and Peacebuilding coordinates the gender-related work of the U.S. Institute of Peace, as well as collaborates with national and international organizations, governments, the military and civil society on concerns related to gender, conflict and peacebuilding.
First established as an Initiative in 2009, the Center reflects the Institute’s commitment to gender awareness in analytical and practitioner work on conflict and peacebuilding. Directed by Kathleen Kuehnast, the Gender and Peacebuilding Center aims to:
- Convene global experts on gender, conflict, and peacebuilding to inform and expand critical understanding about gender impacts.
- Contribute to policy change through analytical and practitioner work on gender, conflict, and peacebuilding.
- Enhance the role of women in peacebuilding through education and training of both men and women.
Working Groups
U.S. Civil Society Working Group on the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
As experts working with women and other groups affected by conflict around the world, the U.S. Civil Society Working Group convened by the Center for Gender and Peacebuildingis committed to assisting the U.S. Government craft an unparalleled innovative national action plan. To that end, the working group stands ready to consult, advise and inform as appropriate. The working group is also situated to support and facilitate efforts by the U.S. Government in seeking the critical inputs on the U.S. National Action Plan from civil society in countries affected by conflict.
Since the official launch of the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security on December 19, 2011, the U.S. Civil Society Working Group has provided recommendations on the implementation of the U.S. NAP to the U.S. Government through consultative dialogues. On February 14, 2012 the USIP hosted a National Security Council consultation with the U.S. Civil Society Working Group. On April 12, 2012 USIP hosted a U.S. Department of State consultation with the U.S. Civil Society Working Group. On May 2, 2012 USIP again hosted a U.S. Department of Defense consultation with the U.S. Civil Society Working Group. In each of these consultations the U.S. Civil Society Working Group provided concrete recommendations on the implementation of the U.S. National Action Plan and listened to implementation plans of the U.S. Government.
- Read the 10 Recommended Action Points in the First 150 Days (February 14, 2012)
- Read the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (December 19, 2011)
- Read the full Executive Order on Women, Peace and Security (December 19, 2011)
- Read the U.S. Civil Society Working Group Expert Statement for the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (November 28, 2011)
- Read the memorandum composed by the U.S. Civil Society Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (February 15, 2011)
- Learn more about the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
Working Group on Lessons Learned and Best Practices on Women's Programming in Afghanistan and Iraq
USIP’s Center for Gender and Peacebuilding has brought together a community of practice that is examining the lessons learned from programs of support for women in Iraq and Afghanistan. Along with best practices derived from those programs, the objective is to strengthen the effectiveness of women’s programs. This working group consists of representatives of the US Government (USG), international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the Allied Embassies, along with key members of Congress and their staff and members of the US Armed Forces. Read the Special Report on "Lessons from Women's Programs in Afghanistan and Iraq." (March 8, 2012)
Ten working group discussions have been held to date. In May, 2011 participating USG offices and NGOs gathered at USIP to hold a preliminary discussion of lessons learned and best practices. In June, 2011 the working group met in the U.S. Congress’ Rayburn House Office Building, teaming up with members of the newly-formed Congressional Task Force on Afghan Women, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and sharing our preliminary findings with Congressional Staff. And, in July, 2011 the working group held a discussion at Georgetown University with 13 Afghan women entrepreneurs brought to the US for training by the Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW).
Since July 2011, USIP has hosted two additional working group meetings, October 6 and November 21, 2011, to review and further expand USIP’s report on lessons learned and best practices in Afghan and Iraqi women’s programming. On December 9, 2011 the working group hosted two Iraqi USIP grantees and two US Army officers from the Afghanistan Female Engagement Team (FET). USIP hosted a January 20, 2012 working group meeting featuring Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, who discussed women's political and economic empowerment in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Febuary 17, 2012 the working group hosted Samira Hamidi, the director of the Afghan Women's Network. The working group met again on April 23, 2012 to discuss lessons learned on women's programming from three Yemeni women leaders who participated via skype. On July 25, 2012 USIP collaborated with the Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women and the U.S. - Afghan Women's Council to host a working meeting for women entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda who participated in PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS.
From these working group meetings, USIP’s Center for Gender and Peacebuilding continues to glean best practices and lessons learned in Afghan and Iraqi women’s programming to develop a report that will enable international agencies and organizations to develop more effective programs, while setting the stage for a series of lessons learned global exchanges with Afghan and Iraqi women leaders.
Working Group on the Development of a Gender and Peacebuilding Course
The objective of this working group is to strengthen technical, civil, and military institutional capacities to mainstream gender and women’s issues in training for peace support operations. The U.S. Institute of Peace has hosted two meetings in collaboration with the Naval Warfare Development Command (NWDC-Norfolk, VA), Fork Films (NYC), International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN), and the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in Fort Bragg, NC.
In April, 2011 experts and interested partners gathered at USIP to provide inputs on the development of a gender simulation module for conflict resolution and peacebuilding that can be accessible via high-tech or low-tech platforms. From the April 2011, working meeting a White Paper was written by the NWDC with contributions from the working group to inform the development of a family of training simulations to advance gender awareness in multidimensional and multinational peace support operations (PSO). In July, 2011 the working group met to further discussions on collaboratively developing a “gender awareness simulation” and conduct a Gender Analysis in Peace Operations Training Simulation Pilot. Since July, 2011 the working group has met on several occasions to further develop modules for a gender and peacebuilding course.
USIP's Gender and Peacebuilding Course will launch a pilot course from July 16, 2012 through July 20, 2012. If you wish to learn more or register for this course, please visit us at http://www.usip.org/education-training/courses/gender-and-peacebuilding. This course will be officially launched in February 2013 with courses to follow.
All working groups are moderated by Kathleen Kuehnast, Director of USIP's Center for Gender and Peacebuilding. For inquiries about the working groups, please write gender@usip.org.
USIP's Work on Gender across the Institute
The Essential Role of Women Peacekeepers
May 2012 | In the Field by Mary Hope Schwoebel
As peacekeeping evolves to encompass a broader humanitarian approach and mandates for protection of civilians, women are increasingly deployed in all peacekeeping domains—police, military, and civilian. They have made a positive impact on peacekeeping environments by supporting the role of women in building peace and by protecting women's rights.
Too Young to Fight
April 2012 | Public presentation by Veronica Eragu Bichetero
Veronica Eragu Bichetero, a senior jennings randolph fellow at USIP, presented at a public event on the role of child soldiers in the Great Lakes Region and the factors that led up to the use of children in armed conflict. Read more about this presentation.
USIP Grant Supported Iraqi Widows and Displaced People
April 2012 | Grant Highlight by Raya Barazanji
In response to the crisis of widows and internally displaced persons in Iraq, USIP assisted the Women's Alliance for a Democratic Iraq’s work to provide this vulnerable population with practical education on legal rights, literacy, job-hunting and on-the-ground peacebuilding.
USIP's Work on Gender in the Middle East
Meeting with Women Members of the Afghan High Peace Council
April 2012 | Event
The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted two women members of the Afghan High Peace Council in an off-the-record conversation about the status of women in Afghanistan.
Meeting Recipients of the 2012 International Women of Courage Award
March 2012 | Event
The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted two recipients of the 2012 International Women of Courage Award in an off-the-record conversation to discuss their innovative efforts to empower women and change societal perceptions of the role of women in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Lessons from Women’s Programs in Afghanistan and Iraq
March 2012 | Resource
Despite years of efforts aimed at expanding women’s rights and opportunities in Iraq and Afghanistan, women in these countries face major obstacles in consolidating post-conflict gains. Recognizing that women’s empowerment contributes significantly to peace and stability, USIP convened experts to assess what has been learned from women’s programming in Afghanistan and Iraq, and what are the best practices for the way forward. Special Report by Kathleen Kuehnast, Manal Omar, Steven E. Steiner, and Hodei Sultan.
Who Owns the Syrian Revolution?
March 2012 | Event
As the Syrian uprising enters its second year, uncertainty about the challenges confronting women and minorities looms especially large. Women have played a critical role throughout the uprising, with activists like Suhair al-Attasi, Razan Zaitouneh, and others emerging as leaders of protest and resistance to the Assad regime. Yet their contributions have often been overshadowed. Questions persist about whether women’s concerns and perspectives will be fully addressed, either in the current uprising or in a potential post-Assad Syria. How can Syrian women ensure that their voices are heard as the revolution unfolds and a new Syria takes shape?
Women, Peace and Security in Afghanistan: Prospects on the Way Forward
February 2012 | Event
The Embassy of Finland and USIP hosted a panel discussion titled "Women, Peace, and Security in Afghanistan: Prospects on the Way Forward." The discussion offered a timely follow-up to the International Afghanistan Conference held in Bonn in December 2011. The panelists representing the governments of Afghanistan, Finland and the United States, as well as Afghan civil society examined ways to better ensure an active role for women in the current peace processes and reconstruction efforts.
Pakistani Peacemakers: The Challenges for Civil Society Actors
January 2012 | Event
The U.S. Institute of Peace, in collaboration with the Institute of Inclusive Security, hosted a panel of experts to examine the ways in which diverse civil society actors, including youth and women, as well as the media, religion and business communities, confront real conflicts with collaborative problem-solving approaches.
Women and the Arab Spring
November 2011 | Congressional Testimony by Manal Omar
Manal Omar, director of Iran, Iraq and North Africa programs at the U.S. Institute of Peace, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations committee on November 2, 2011, on the role of women in the Arab Spring, and more specifically, their role in Libya.
Muslim Women in the Push for Peace
August 2011 | Huffington Post Article on Manal Omar
USIP's Manal Omar reflects a tradition of women's participation in their communities as active leaders: as mothers, teachers, scholars, counselors and presidents of national organizations.
Women Peacemakers in Iraq
June 2011 | On the Issues by Maria Jessop and Ayse Kadayifci-Orellana
USIP’s Maria Jessop and Ayse Kadayifci-Orellana discuss the power of dialogue to bridge divides and the role of women peacemakers in Iraq in the context of a workshop for the women of USIP’s Network of Iraqi Facilitators (NIF) they conducted in May 2011.
Libyan Forces Use Rape as Weapon of War, Experts Say
June 2011 | News Feature by Gordon Lubold
While opposition fighters struggle to tip the balance against Libyan leader Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi’s forces, a growing number of women living in rebel strongholds are allegedly being raped by members of the Libyan military.
President Obama's Speech and Gender
May 2011 | On the Issues by Kathleen Kuehnast
Following President Obama's speech on the Middle East, USIP's Kathleen Kuehnast examines how gender plays an important role in peacemaking and prosperity, and the influential role women are playing in the Arab Spring.
Women and the Arab Spring
May 2011 | On the Issues by Mary Hope Schwoebel
Women's participation in the Arab Spring has been significant, but it remains to be seen, however, if their participation will result in increased opportunities for women in the public sphere when the dust settles. USIP’s Mary Hope Schwoebel discusses the opportunities and challenges for women in the Arab Spring.
Women and Rural Communities in Egypt
April 2011 | On the Issues by Manal Omar
Following longtime leader Hosni Mubarak’s departure, USIP’s Manal Omar traveled to Egypt in early April to assess how the recent turmoil there has impacted rural communities and women.
Women in Yemen's Protests
April 2011 | On the Issues by Mary Hope Schwoebel
Amid the upheavals in Yemen, USIP’s Mary Hope Schwoebel discusses the role of women in the political protests and how it is likely to affect their future status.
Additional Resources
Libya
- Statement by Secretary Clinton on “Sexual Violence in Libya, the Middle East, and North Africa”
- CNN report on “Libya rape victims 'face honour killings'”
- The Social Institutions & Gender Index reports on “Gender Equality and Social Institutions in Libya”
- IASC Sub-Working Group on Gender and Humanitarian Action reports on “Gender concerns – Libya Crisis March 2011”
- ABC News/International reports “New York Times Journalist Endured Sexual Assaults, Death Threats in Libya”
Egypt
- Amnesty International report on “Egypt: Military pledges to stop forced ‘virginity tests’”
- UN Women reports “Egypt: Women’s Charter Calls for a Democratic Transition”
- Read a list of demand’s for the inclusion of Egyptian women in the peacebuilding process
- The Social Institutions & Gender Index reports on “Gender Equality and Social Institutions in Egypt”
Syria
- Read a UNDP Toolkit on “The Importance of Gender Mainstreaming in Syria”
- Read a report by the EUROMED Gender Equality Program on “National Situation Analysis Report: Women’s Human Rights and Gender Equality, Syria”
- The Social Institutions & Gender Index reports on “Gender Equality and Social Institutions in the Syrian Arab Republic”
Yemen
- Global Issues report on “Yemen: Youth Ready to Confront Gender Roles”
- The UNDP Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (POGAR) reports on the conditions of women in Yemen
- The Social Institution & Gender Index reports on “Gender Equality and Social Institutions in Yemen”
Explore Further