Opinions & Insights

Blog pieces written by OSF and guest authors

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Where's the Money? Exploring the Budget Gaps in Women, Peace and Security Initiatives

This analysis looks at the crucial role of funding in shaping the national Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agendas. By examining nations with varying levels of financial commitment and exploring the concept of gender budgeting, this article aims to explore how targeted financial strategies could potentially affect policy-making and WPS implementation strategies.

August 28,2024

In the Shadows of Conflict: The Role of Sudanese Women in Building Peace and Stability

In light of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, Our Secure Future intern Luz Velazquez discusses the contributions made by Sudanese women in advocating for peace and the necessity of including their voices in the formal peace negotiations.

June 25,2024

Tech's Gender Blindspots: How to Create a Safer Digital Future

Technology has become an integral part of everyone’s daily lives. However, the digital ecosystem is not immune to the gender inequalities that persist in society.

May 24,2024

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December 31, 2018

Look Back at 2018: The Year in Women, Peace and Security

2018 was a landmark year for Women, Peace and Security initiatives worldwide. OSF surveys the year in WPS in our end of year timeline.

December 18, 2018

NATO: We Need Women’s Voices in Peace and Security

“If peace is to be sustainable, then it must include the voices of women.”- Office of the Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security at NATO In this video, the Office of the Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) explains th...

December 17, 2018

Making History across the DMZ

Women’s involvement is critical to peace on the Korean Peninsula. On December 4–6, 2018, Women Cross DMZ held a historic meeting of women peacebuilders from North and South Korea.

December 11, 2018

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky on the US Women, Peace, and Security Act

In this video, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky gives a statement on the importance of promoting women's participation.

December 10, 2018

Miki Jacevic on Localizing National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security

In this interview, OSF Fellow Miki Jacevic explains why and how NAPs should be implemented.

December 04, 2018

Women in Peacekeeping: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the barriers facing women peacekeepers, and why does it matter to have more women involved in peacekeeping? OSF Fellow Sarah Williamson answers these frequently asked questions.

December 03, 2018

Canada’s Groundbreaking Initiative to Increase Women in Peacekeeping

Our Secure Future fellow Sarah Williamson reflects on Canada's Elsie Initiative and barriers to women in armed forces.

November 27, 2018

Micro-Hacks for Women, Peace and Security: Using a Gender Perspective and Women’s Participation to Prevent Violence against Women

OSF provides five ways that crucial tenets of the WPS agenda can be used to prevent violence against women.

November 21, 2018

To Eliminate Violence against Women, Participation Is Key

Reflecting on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, OSF highlights gender perspective in the arenas of peace and security operations, governance, and conflict resolution.

Women Peacekeepers and police International Women's Day

November 20, 2018

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Our Secure Future stands with women and men around the world committed to eliminating violence against women.

Tara Dillon

November 19, 2018

Challenges Remain for Colombian Women Despite Inclusive Peace Accords

The Colombian Peace Accords are the most inclusive and comprehensive peace agreement in recent history. Signed on November 24, 2016, Colombian women’s groups ensured there was a gender perspective throughout the agreement and implementation.

November 09, 2018

Reweaving Society: Colombia’s Nasa Women Reviving Culture and Dialogue

Mario Espinoza of One Earth Future program, Shared Resources, paints an image of the powerful traditions and peace activism of the Nasa women of Colombia.

Photo courtesy of Shared Resources: Maria Camilla Diaz, Mario Espinoza, and Yezid Campos

October 24, 2018

Our Secure Future Celebrates United Nations Day

Our Secure Future celebrates United Nations Day and all of the strides that UN has taken for gender equality.

Lexie Van Buskirk

October 22, 2018

Case Study: When it Comes to NAPs, Iraq Leads the Way in MENA

The Iraq National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security has been a leading example for other states in the MENA region, but it expires at the end of this year. We highlight five ways civil society can help improve the NAP moving forward.

Suzan Araf Maroof, Director & Founder of Women Empowerment Organization, and Coordinator of the Iraq cross-sector task force on Security Council resolution 1325, addresses the Security Council meeting. August 2018, UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

October 16, 2018

An Inside Look at Bangladesh’s All-Women Peacekeeping Unit

A Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers gives insight into the lives of an all-woman peacekeeping unit during their training and deployment to post-earthquake Haiti.