Women In International Security (WIIS) and the Embassy of Liechtenstein held a virtual discussion on how arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament efforts must identify and address the harmful impact of weapons on women and girls. This event brings together experts on gender and chemical and biological weapons to find new ways of acknowledging the gendered impact in arms control and disarmament debates. The discussion will take stock of the ways in which weapons can harm women and girls; compare best practices of acknowledging gendered harm in arms control and disarmament debates; and develop proposals for practitioners to address the disproportionate impact that weapons can have on women and girls. What is the state of arms control and nonproliferation of these weapons, and what are the most effective ways of advancing the policy debate and outcomes in the field?
On March 8, 2024, Women In International Security (WIIS) and the Embassy of Liechtenstein held an in-person discussion with State Department Assistant Secretary of State Anne Witkowsky, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, and an expert panel on the U.S. Global Fragility Act (GFA) and approaches to integrating a gender perspective in the 10-year country implementation plans to stabilize conflict-affected states and prevent the escalation of violence in fragile contexts. In line with the GFA, the Biden administration presented the 10-year plans for advancing U.S. government efforts for conflict prevention and stabilization in four countries (Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, and Papua New Guinea) and the region of Coastal West Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo). To be effective, however, the GFA’s Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS) and country implementation plans must integrate a gender perspective in advancing gender equality and the principles enshrined in the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. The WIIS event discussion will focus on the GFA, and the detailed implementation plans released by the U.S. government to highlight how gender perspectives have been integrated into the detailed 10-year plans for the four partner countries and one region under the SPCPS.
Technology can be a powerful tool in the fight for gender equality and to help women develop agency in fragile and conflict-ridden environments. The digital gender divide is especially prevalent in conflict and post-conflict environments, but women have used technology as a tool to help reduce their vulnerability and isolation. How can technology be harnessed to help women build agency and reduce their vulnerability and isolation? The question raises a complex set of questions and issues related to women’s access to technology, the degree of digital literacy, and the specific needs for which the appropriate level of technology can serve–to protect women or create economic opportunities–while building the networks that enhance women’s agency. On June 22, 2023, Women In International Security (WIIS) and the Embassy of Liechtenstein held a virtual discussion on how technology can increase women’s agency in decision-making, leadership, and collective action in the face of gender-based violence.
On May 17, 2023, Women In International Security (WIIS) and the Embassy of Liechtenstein hosted a virtual discussion on how arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament efforts must identify and address the harmful impact of weapons on women and girls. This event brought together experts on gender and nuclear weapons, biological weapons, small arms, and light weapons to find new ways of acknowledging the gendered impact in arms control and disarmament debates. The discussion took stock of the ways in which weapons can harm women and girls; discussed obstacles to effective assistance and support for victims; compared best practices of acknowledging gendered harm in arms control and disarmament debates; and developed proposals for practitioners to address the disproportionate impact that weapons can have on women and girls.