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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July 10, 2018

Women at Forefront of Countering Violent Extremism in Syria

Resistance to extremism is often most successful in places where women actively participate when their rights are threatened and in communities that have strong civil society networks. This is currently the situation in Idlib, Syria.

June 27, 2018

Is Democracy Better for Women? Why Certain Types of Governance Are Often More Inclusive Than Others

Why are democracies better for women’s representation? Our Secure Future explains the link.

Tara Dillon

June 25, 2018

Transformative Approach to Gender Mainstreaming in Refugee Camps Needed

A transformative approach to gender mainstreaming, in which data is collected, analyzed, and used in a way that fits the new social structures can better help the displaced population rebuild their lives.

Women walk at the refugee camp near Tindouf, Algeria.

June 11, 2018

Flipping the Narrative: What’s Right with Women

Is the common narrative on women as victims helpful or harmful? OSF argues that women’s equality is more likely to improve if women are viewed as change agents instead.

Girls celebrate the opening of a new school and clinic implemented by the African Union–UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur. Photo by UN Photo/Albert González Farran

June 07, 2018

Fifty-Five Year Recap: The US Equal Pay Act

At the 55th Anniversary of the US Equal Pay Act, are women in the US actually receiving equal pay for equal work?

June 05, 2018

World Environment Day: What Are Women Around the World Doing to Promote Environmentalism?

On World Environment Day, find out what women activists are doing to preserve communities and the planet.

Tara Dillon

May 29, 2018

A Case for Gender Mainstreaming in Peacekeeping Missions

Evidence shows that the presence of women in peacekeeping operations has a positive effect. Yet, the number of female peacekeepers sent to the field remains low.

UN female Peacekeepers. Photo by Evan Schneider/ UN Photo

May 21, 2018

Why More Women? The Efficacy of Incorporating Women in Local Police Forces

Why do we need more women police? A look at India, Liberia, and Ukraine provides evidence.

Photo Attribution: Women police officers at the Salem Police Station in Monrovia, Liberia. Photo by Marcus Bleasfadale/VII

May 11, 2018

What You Didn’t Know about Mother’s Day: The Anti-War Origins of a Hallmark Holiday

For early female anti-war activists, the original Mother’s Peace Day came in response to the horrors of the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War in Europe.

May 09, 2018

Women Nobel Peace Laureates Organize First-Ever Feminist Summit at G7

At the G7 Summit in Ottawa this year, women set a new precedent with the first ever W7, a feminist summit organized by Nobel Peace Laureates.

May 05, 2018

Security Roundtable: Interview with Major General Patrick Cammaert, Former United Nations Force Commander for the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

A former UN general shares their thoughts on peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo and why women need to be engaged in peacekeeping efforts.

April 27, 2018