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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August 25, 2017

A Woman's Place is in the House and the Senate

Our Secure Future is proud to call Colorado home, and not just because of the beautiful mountain views. Women’s participation in all levels of decision making, which is one of the four pillars of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, is robust in the Rocky Mountain state.

August 11, 2017

Summer Reads: Bombshell: Women and Terrorism

As summer quickly comes to a close, we give you our last Summer Reads Review - Bombshell: Women and Terrorism by Mia Bloom. Bombshell examines the complex relationship between women and their involvement in terrorist organizations, providing useful insights to WPS and countering violent extremism (C...

August 08, 2017

Guest Expert Michaela Monahan: Where are the women? How to find women experts in security

This series brings attention to the expertise of women in a broad range of related fields, and provides tips and strategies for how to incorporate WPS into your current work: This week Michaela Monahan, Oceans Beyond Piracy Communications Coordinator, discusses finding women experts.

Lexie Van Buskirk

August 04, 2017

Summer Reads: Notorious RBG

Up next on our list of great summer reads is NYT best-seller Notorious RBG, the Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik, which chronciles the live of Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Giunsberg, providing a poignant example of the main tenents of Women, Peace and Securi...

July 28, 2017

Summer Reads: Sex and World Peace

We are back with our Summer Reads reviews with Sex and World Peace by Valerie M. Hudson, Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, Mary Caprioli, and Chad F. Emmett.

July 14, 2017

Summer Reads: The Chalice and the Blade

We’re kicking off our Summer Reads series that will examine non-fiction books with a tie to the women, peace and security agenda. Our first book in the series is The Chalice and the Blade by Riane Eisler. In her capstone work, Eisler proposes a partnership model of social organization that brings al...

Lexie Van Buskirk

July 06, 2017

Notes From The Field: WPS Experts Weigh In

Our Notes From The Field series has been designed to highlight the opinions and advice of Women, Peace and Security experts around the world. This edition, we speak with Visaka Dharmadasa, founder and chair of the Association of War Affected Women about her work and plans for the future.

Lexie Van Buskirk

July 01, 2017

An Inspirational Independence Day, Compliments of Legendary American Women

In honor of Independence Day in the U.S., we’re highlighting four independent American women who, in their time, inspired and empowered future generations.

legendary American women to celebrate Independence Day

Lexie Van Buskirk

June 22, 2017

When It Comes to Gender in National Security, Our Leaders Lack Information, Not Interest

New America conducted an extensive study in which they found a lack of gender perspective among policymakers in national security, though it did not arise out of a lack of interest. Rather, the individuals they surveyed lacked the knowledge and confidence necessary to tackle gender – an issue that c...

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James speaks about the importance of women in national security at the Stimson Center, 2014. Photo Credit: Scott M. Ash, U.S. Air Force

Lexie Van Buskirk

June 19, 2017

Notes From The Field: WPS Experts Weigh In

Our Notes From The Field series has been designed to highlight the opinions and advice of Women, Peace and Security experts around the world. In this series, we hope to bring attention not only to the tireless work they’ve been doing, but also to their plans for the future.

Participants of the Women Cross DMZ march, including Christine Ahn and Gloria Steinem, after crossing the DMZ along the southern border; Photo Credit - Niana Liu

Lexie Van Buskirk

June 12, 2017

Women, Peace and Security: There’s An App For That

For anyone who has ever wanted to feel more connected to WPS, the (free!) Women, Peace and Security app from PeaceWomen is a fantastic resource. It offers something for everyone, at every level of personal and professional involvement.

Lexie Van Buskirk

June 06, 2017

The Interrupters

Traditionally, men are assumed to be experts, the voice of authority, and the leader, while women with equal, and, frequently, greater competence and actual authority, are “second-guessed and (deemed) untrustworthy.

May 30, 2017

Women Are Crucial for Success in Peacekeeping and Intelligence Gathering

There is also a growing body of work on the participation of women in peacekeeping forces for improved intelligence gathering, a critical component to a successful peacekeeping operation.

Lexie Van Buskirk

May 23, 2017

Including a Gender Perspective in US-Africa Relations Makes Cents

Opportunities for women to participate in the economy will improve their earning potential, assisting families to move out of poverty and contribute to the economy.

Lexie Van Buskirk

May 12, 2017

Fighting Extremism Starts with Mothers

Evidence indicates that mothers are uniquely positioned in terms of access and proximity to their children, and that they are a key partner in counter-violence strategies.

Lexie Van Buskirk

May 08, 2017

Mitigating Modern Threats, Part II: A Gender Perspective on Social Media as a Weapon

In spite of the tangible threat that social media poses to peace and security worldwide, substantive discussions of women’s role in combatting this risk are scarce. Unfortunately, whether by exclusion or accidental omission, information relating to the use and effectiveness of social media in modern...

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon participates in discussion on autism and social media responsibility. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Lexie Van Buskirk

May 01, 2017

Mitigating Modern Threats, Part I: A Gender Perspective on Social Media as a Weapon

While the issue of online violence may sound quite abstract, the malicious use of social media can, and has, posed a tangible threat.

Lexie Van Buskirk

April 20, 2017

Women, Security, and Climate Change

Women are more likely to experience increased violence in the wake of disasters such as floods and earthquakes. They also take on the overwhelming, when droughts force their husbands and sons to leave home to find work.

Colombia's Indigenous Wayuu Struggle with Water Shortages, UN Photo - Gill Fickling,