Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, died this week.  His approach to peacemaking remains a useful point of reference for the UN at a time when it appears incapable of resolving major geopolitical crises

Women’s participation in the workforce is a priority issue in the global agenda for women’s equality. With the rise of COVID-19, commitments to advance women’s workforce participation may be overshadowed by more immediate concerns.

Women employed in international organisations engaged in peacebuilding find it difficult to return to work once they become mothers.  The marginalisation of those with caring responsibilities has a direct negative impact on the type of security and justice being built in conflict-affected environments.

The recognition that gender identity and ideology are connected to threats of violent extremism is now the subject of a growing body of policy and evidence.  Prevention strategies should take into account the gendered dimensions of radicalisation and recruitment to violent extremist groups.

Australia has made significant strides in the representation of women in diplomacy. Has there been a similar trend across Asia? Does this support Australia’s diplomacy in the region?

The “Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan” is undoubtedly a milestone. However, it brings new uncertainties for women and risks setting the country on a backward trajectory.

The United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing 1994 raised awareness of the need to bringing gender equality into the mainstream of societal political debate worldwide.  While much progress has been made since there, there is still a long way to go.

The patriarchy and male privilege are dominant features of conventional security policy.  For nuclear disarmament to ever be viable, alternative perspectives must be considered.

Scotland, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Botswana are all ahead of Australia when it comes to supporting “period dignity.” But efforts are being made at a grassroots level to reduce and remove the barriers faced by Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian women and girls in remote communities.

Elizabeth Warren’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination pitted her against three reasonably qualified male candidates.  With an end goal to oust President Trump, “electability” narratives have all but obscured the gender dynamics at play.