Gender Peace and Security (GPS) | The Runway

KEY POINTS:

UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security adopted by Australia.
Gender, peace, and security (GPS) highlights gender's role in sustainable peace.
GPS addresses gender-based violence and human rights protection.
Integrates gender perspectives in all peace, security efforts.
Challenges in GPS progress include gender-based exclusion.
Underfunded gender-responsive programming remains an issue.
Gender-based violence is prevalent in conflict areas.

See: Gender, Peace and Security at Defence | Sectors | Defence

Quiet Victories: Twenty-Five Years of Women, Peace and Security in Action

Across decades of conflict, women have turned principle into practice—proving that inclusive, community-led leadership strengthens peacebuilding, governance, and long-term stability. Bougainville women mediated peace through cultural authority and Timor-Leste achieved strong women’s parliamentary representation.

Strategic Influence

WPS can be a competitive edge for Defence

Linking women’s participation with security and development offers Australia a competitive advantage—embedding human security into regional engagement strengthens stability, resilience, and partnerships while supporting long-term economic prosperity. The concept broadens traditional defence thinking.

Taking stock of the WPS agenda

This article reviews Australia’s progress on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, noting implementation gaps despite broad policy support. It calls for improved accountability, training, and leadership integration of gender-based considerations in operations.

Military Management

Getting dads to care: A key to equality in Asia

Workplaces globally are stressed by factors such as declining birth rates, growing elderly populations and gender gaps in participation. One reform is to allocate leave specifically to fathers and partners for a more equal responsibility for care.

Military Management

US Defense Secretary cancels Women, Peace and Security programs

This article discusses the US Secretary of Defense's recent cancellation of the Defense Women, Peace and Security (WPS) program that was previously implemented under the first Trump Administration in 2017. Concerns associated with this decision and the impact to National Security are highlighted.

Military Management

How the US ‘war on woke’ and women risks weakening its own military capability

This article reinforces how competence of military personnel is not determined by an archetypal warrior based on sex, gender, sexuality or ethnicity. Diversity among personnel has proven to enhance operational effectiveness, situational awareness and problem solving.

Women in combat roles strengthen our defence force

Australia has progressively lifted combat restrictions for women since 1990. Focusing on inclusion builds capability—arguments against diverse combat roles distract from genuine security priorities and limit our ability to meet future challenges effectively. Physical standards are the same.

Strategic Influence

How Australia is advancing gender equality in the Indo-Pacific

DFAT has released the International Gender Equality Strategy aimed at strengthening relationships in the Indo-Pacific region; specifically focussing on gender considerations during humanitarian and climate assistance, as well as promoting inclusive trade and economic equality.

Strategic Influence

We Do Declare: Women’s Voices on Independence

This Smithsonian project marks 250 years of American independence, highlighting diverse women’s experiences with economic autonomy and the impact of credit access since the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act—a key step for women’s financial independence.

Strategic Influence

Women are underfunded in the Pacific Islands

This article argues Pacific Islands gender equality aid is below global averages, highlighting a need for targeted and increased investments.

Strategic Influence

How Gender Diversity Improves Defense Operations

Gender diversity strengthens defence strategies by incorporating varied perspectives and addressing cultural sensitivities, improving mission outcomes, such as intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness, in conflict zones and humanitarian operations.

Strategic Influence

How Gender Diversity Improves Defense Operations

Gender diversity strengthens defence strategies by incorporating varied perspectives and addressing cultural sensitivities, improving mission outcomes, such as intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness, in conflict zones and humanitarian operations.

Air & Space Power

Today in military history: Senates approves female combat pilots

in 1991 The USA Senate approval for female combat pilots marked a significant milestone in military history.

Australia's Pacific Gender Agenda: Down from Rhetoric to Reality

This article examines Australia's efforts to transition its Pacific gender initiatives from rhetoric to concrete actions, highlighting the implications for strategic regional partnerships and improved operational effectiveness in regional stability and development.

Communication & Cognition

TED TALK: When you inform women, you transform lives

Acess to information significantly empowers women and transforms lives globally.

Strategic Influence

Off the Bench and on the Team: Operational Gender Mainstreaming

This paper discusses practical models for implementing gender perspectives in Military operations.

Strategic Influence

Lack of women at International Court of Justice 'striking', says South African lawyer Adila Hassim

Lack of female judges in ICJ part of broader global issue of lack of women in legal teams.

Strategic Influence

Taliban decrees on clothing and male guardians leave Afghan women scared to go out alone, says UN

UN Report on human rights situation in Afghanistan details reduced women’s rights and freedoms.

Strategic Influence

Whose security is really at stake? Gender must be prioritised in Australia‑PNG security agreement

Australia signed a bilateral security agreement with PNG in support of their internal security, however the risk of Gender Based Violence also needs to be addressed.

Strategic Influence

The female marines Japan is training for war

Women form part of Japanese Self Defence Force (JSDF) Marine Unit Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade.

Strategic Influence

Women Bear the Brunt of Asia’s Climate Failures

Women are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, especially in low and middle-income countries with economies dependent on agriculture.

Strategic Influence

Faster action required to deal with international gender violence

Australia’s implementation of the Second National Action Plan (NAP) on Women Peace and Security is lagging.

Communication & Cognition

New study highlights barriers to engaging Pacific men supporting women’s leadership

In the Pacific, words like ‘feminism’ could provoke resistance towards gender equality; article suggests leveraging cultural values such as cooperation to promote positive change

Fighting gender-based violence door-to-door with support of Ugandan men

Through the Spotlight Initiative run by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Ugandan men are training to help reduce gender-based violence in their communities.

Strategic Influence

Pacific women are among the most vulnerable to extreme weather. These women are taking leadership to voice solutions

Various Pacific Island Women’s groups finding solutions to climate change related problems

Strategic Influence

Australia makes its mark on gender security

Australia has become the first non-NATO country to be admitted to the Nordic Centre for Gender in Militrary Operations (NCGMC) as a partner nation.

Strategic Influence

Japan’s New Cabinet Has a Record Number of Women. So What?

Japan’s recently reshuffled parliament has 5 women out of 19 ministers; however this has not represented an overall improvement in women’s positions within the Government.

Strategic Influence

Gendered Disinformation: Tactics, Themes, and Trends by Foreign Malign Actors

Gendered disinformation is a tactic used by Foreign State and Non-State actors to silence women with the view to undermine democracy and free speech

Strategic Influence

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Women’s Political Representation in the Pacific

Progress for women’s political participation and leadership within the Pacific has been slow despite an appetite for change

Strategic Influence

Defence must recognise that women, peace and security isn’t just a personnel issue

The Women Peace and Security Agenda is a matter of international security; and should be included in Defence operational planning and preparedness.

Strategic Influence

How women in Israel and Palestine are pushing for peace — together

Palestinian and Israeli feminist peace coalition call upon political leaders to negotiate peace.

Strategic Influence

Deep Dive Recap: MENA and the Gender Perspective

Gender Peace and Security lessons learned by NATO regarding the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Technology & Innovation

The digital gender divide is about more than access, according to new Girl Effect report

The 2023 'Girls and Mobile' report highlights gender gap for access to mobile phones amongst adolescents despite equal interest in the devices

Strategic Influence

Searching for Peace in Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands have several issues that threaten its national peace and security with conflict prevention being a path to peace.

Strategic Influence

Women belong everywhere and this World Cup proves football can be the great equaliser

The Women's World Cup aims to empower Pacific women through sport, shifting the mindset from "who'll let me?" to "who'll stop me?".

Strategic Influence

What's behind Vietnam's worsening sex ratio imbalance?

Vietnam is grappling with a significant gender imbalance due to cultural norms and recent policies.

Strategic Influence

New foreign aid rules to require climate and gender objectives for projects worth more than $3 million

From mid-2025, Australia's foreign aid will focus on climate and gender issues to enhance Indo-Pacific relations.

Strategic Influence

Iran: Draft hijab law tantamount to ‘gender apartheid’ say rights experts

UN experts are deeply concerned over a new Iranian draft law introducing stricter penalties for females not wearing hijabs.

Strategic Influence

Censors Ban TV Show Over Rape Scenes That 'Tarnish' Pakistan

Pakistani censors have banned the TV drama "Hadsa" for allegedly tarnishing the nation's image by showcasing it as unsafe for women.

Communication & Cognition

Afghanistan After The Takeover Of The Taliban (Part I) – OpEd

Approximately 15 million Afghan women lack access to education, hindering their prospects and the nation's progress

Communication & Cognition

The Taliban's beauty salon ban will be a major blow to women's financial independence

Over 60,000 Afghan women face job losses, and about 12,000 businesses are set to close. Many are their family's primary breadwinners.

Strategic Influence

Biden chooses Lisa Franchetti to head Pentagon military branch

President Biden nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the US Navy, making her the first woman to head a Pentagon military service branch. Her distinguished career includes leading the US 6th Fleet and US naval forces in South Korea and serving as an aircraft carrier strike commander.

Strategic Influence

How Franchetti’s experience made her Biden’s pick to lead the Navy

Adm. Lisa Franchetti's nomination as the first woman to lead the Navy under President Biden makes her the first woman to lead any of the services in the USA. Her achievement is a significant milestone in breaking gender barriers in the military.

Strategic Influence

Women on the Frontlines of Pacific Peacebuilding

The text discusses the significant role Pacific women play in peacebuilding efforts and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting their contributions to realize a peaceful Pacific region.

Technology & Innovation

Women, young people take up beekeeping in Solomon Islands to diversify incomes and fight climate change

A beekeeping program in the Solomon Islands is teaching mostly women and young people to diversify their income through honey production, steering communities away from harmful farming practices like logging.

Strategic Influence

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare mulls country's future on 45th year of independence

PM Manasseh Sogavare discussed the Solomon Islands' independence, geopolitical pressures, LGBTQI+ concerns, and national development in his annual address, acknowledging Australia but not China.

Strategic Influence

Fighting to free the women and children enslaved by IS

This article describes the horrifying ordeal of a Yazidi woman, Bahar Elias, who, along with her children, was enslaved by the Islamic State (IS).

Strategic Influence

How Netflix political drama Wave Makers sparked Taiwan's MeToo movement

"Wave Makers," a Netflix drama, has triggered Taiwan's #MeToo movement, leading to real-life sexual harassment revelations implicating Taiwanese political figures and impacting upcoming elections.

Strategic Influence

Recruitment of children by armed groups in Syria is on the rise, even as fighting subsides

Despite reduced fighting in Syria, child recruitment by armed groups is increasing, according to a UN report. Multiple factions, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), are involved.

Strategic Influence

Why Women Matter to Peace and Security in the Indo-Pacific

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) emphasizes gender-inclusive policies for security and peace in the Indo-Pacific. A panel discussion with U.S. INDOPACOM members highlighted progress and strategies for gender-inclusive security operations.

Strategic Influence

The PNG gang that kidnapped an Australian professor is allegedly unleashing new horrors on girls and women

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), a gang known for a previous kidnapping incident is reportedly causing terror among local women and girls. Authorities believe these are the same criminals who held an Australian professor and three PNG women hostage in February.

Strategic Influence

Gendering Cybersecurity through Women, Peace and Security: Gender and Human Rights in National-level - Approaches to Cybersecurity

This overview offers a summary of a report on gender-sensitive cybersecurity, which examines the risks presented by emerging technologies and the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.

Gender, Peace and Security at Defence

The aim of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is to incorporate a perspective of gender, peace, and security (GPS) throughout the entirety of planning, operations, and international engagement, taking into account their extensive scope and intricate nature.

Where has New Zealand’s women, peace and security agenda gone?

New Zealand's women, peace and security agenda has stalled since the first National Action Plan expired in 2019. Despite positive progress, the lack of a new plan risks NZ falling behind other countries in the region and missing out on important opportunities.

Strategic Influence

Male guardianship rules in north Yemen restrict women's aid work

Tackling one of the world's worst humanitarian crises has become even harder for female aid workers as tightening male guardianship rules by Houthi authorities restrict their movement.

Communication & Cognition

Address by Deputy Chief of Army, United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, New York, USA, 10 March 2023

The Deputy Chief of the Australian Army, Natasha Fox, delivered a speech highlighting the Human Rights Commission Review in 2012, which revealed the discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct within the military that was damaging the people and undermining trust and respect among members.

Communication & Cognition

Getting serious about diversity in Australia’s security discourse

This ASPI article argues that the national security conversation in Australia needs to mature and become more informed and that gender and diversity are essential parts of the discourse.

Communication & Cognition

Getting serious about diversity in Australia’s security discourse

This ASPI article argues that the national security conversation in Australia needs to mature and become more informed and that gender and diversity are essential parts of the discourse.

Strategic Influence

Human Rights Council Concludes General Debate on Human Rights Situations that Require the Council’s Attention

The Human Rights Council has concluded its general debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention. Many speakers highlighted the repression being experienced by human rights defenders around the world, as well as the issue of State surveillance mechanisms used to silence dissent and crack down on protestors, lawyers, and defenders.

Strategic Influence

Afghan Women's Protest For Education Halted In Kabul By Taliban

20 Afghan women protested for women's education rights in Kabul, before being stopped by Taliban patrols. Taliban's strict rules have limited women's access to schools, jobs, media and more, sparking UN and international condemnation.

Communication & Cognition

Have you been labelled at work by your gender, age or ethnicity? Here’s how those labels can delegitimize you

Labels might seem mundane, but they can be far from harmless as they imply a value judgement about the person labelled and can result in people being treated in a way that is both prejudical and fails to use their actual skills.

Strategic Influence

Women, Warriors and Warfare: When the best man for the job is a woman

Women are a vital component in the whole of nation approach required for Australian security.

Biden Showcases the Strength, Excellence of American Military Diversity

On International Women’s Day 2021, US President Joe Biden confirmed the promotion of two women to four-star rank—both were also appointed to command combatant commands.

Leading light on women’s leadership joins ANU

The Global Institute for Women's Leadership at the Australian National University aims to help more women achieve leadership roles.

17 November 2020

Air & Space Power

Diversity Doesn't Need Gravity

The value and impact of diversity should be contrasted with the value and impact of homogeneity.

Military Management

Stop Calling Us 'Women Experts'

The unnecessary use of gendered language should be removed from the professional lexicon.

Australian Defence Force players from the Women's ADF All-Stars AFL team prior to the curtain raiser Greater Western Sydney versus Saint Kilda AFL game at Manuka Oval in Canberra, on Friday, 22 April 2022. Left to right: Royal Australian Navy sailor Petty Officer Maritime Logistics Chef Meg… read more

How Workplaces —Not Women—Need to Change to Improve Equality

Leaders need to create an environment where issues that contribute to an inequitable workplace can be removed.