Our Issue Areas

Women, Peace, & Security Advancing the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) agenda is central to WIIS’ work and a fundamental component of its research and programs. WIIS is working to ensure a clear roadmap for the full implementation of WPS principles worldwide.

Next Generation Scholars The Next Generation Scholars is a worldwide program supporting emerging and diverse scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the gender and security field. WIIS’ international network and programs provide further opportunities for career advancement.

Feminist Foreign Policy WIIS’ program examines different interpretations and approaches for an effective, sustainable, and implementable feminist foreign policy, where a gender perspective is prioritized and mainstreamed in all foreign policy actions, agencies, and practices.

Regional & Collective Security Local and national conflicts often escape borders, threatening the stability of a region. WIIS recognizes that applying a gendered approach to transnational challenges brings critical insights to shifting dynamics within global governance and collective security arrangements.

Conflict & Gender-Based Violence Gender inequality is strongly associated with instability and armed conflict, which drives gender-based violence (GBV). WIIS prioritizes a policy-to-practice approach and global action to prevent GBV and empower women and other vulnerable and underrepresented groups.

Women in Defense & Security WIIS is a leader in integrating gender equality and the WPS agenda in the defense, military, and security fields. Women bring talent, skills, and experience that strengthen institutional effectiveness, achieve operational goals, and transform entrenched masculinized cultures.

Climate Security The connection between gender, climate change, and security is complex and multifaceted. WIIS seeks solutions to mitigating the gendered impact of environmental degradation and champions women’s leadership in reducing climate-related conflict and building community resilience.

Arms Control & Disarmament Nuclear weapons remain an existential threat. For WIIS, applying a gendered perspective to generate effective and enduring arms control and nuclear disarmament means a fundamental commitment to gender equality and a culture accepting diversity and change.

Technology & Gender Technology and its impact are highly gendered, as technology transforms social, political, and economic connections that worsen gender inequalities. WIIS investigates these complex dimensions, recognizing that technology is also a powerful tool to achieve gender parity.

Global Health Security The Covid-19 pandemic underscored two realities: disease events constitute threats to national, regional, and global security, and women, girls, and gendered communities are disproportionately affected. WIIS advances dialogue and action to ensure a gender-responsive global health strategy.