GAPS Newsletter: June 2023
Welcome to GAPS June wrap-up.
This month, the GAPS team was in the Hague for LEAP4Peace, of which we are a proud member. Alongside organisations from Burundi, Colombia, Myanmar, and the Netherlands, we work nationally and globally to support the meaningful implementation of women’s role in decision-making, peace-building and political processes. In the Hague, there were sessions on capacity building, sharing of best practices, network building and annual planning. You can find out more on our Twitter here.
The latest episode of our podcast ‘Mind the GAPS’ features our very own Eva Tabbasam and Helen Kezie-Nwoha , who is the Executive Director of the Women’s International Peace Centre, a regional organization based in Uganda that promotes women’s participation in peace-building. On episode 4, we take a deep dive on the funding landscape of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) including recommendations on how to make funding more accessible and fair from GAPS’ research ’The Key to Change: Supporting Civil Society and Women’s Rights Organisations in Fragile and Conflict Affected Contexts’.
As a follow-up to the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment the W7 Japan held a dialogue between the G7 Ministers on Gender Equality and Civil Society on gender equality, women’s leadership and human rights. The event focused on issues such as care economy, eradication of violence, bodily autonomy, the digital world, LGBTQI+ rights and accountability. Find our full statement on the G7 Communique here.
Finally, the United States and Romania hosted the fifth Capital-Level Meeting of the WPS Focal Points Network. The meeting focused on the co-chairs priorities for the duration of their term, under the theme “Advancing the adaptability and evolution of WPS as a framework for implementing policy change.” This included activities to advance the WPS agenda through National Action Plans and Centres of Excellence. You can find GAPS’ reflections and 10 recommendations on translating WPS commitments into concrete and direct action here.
June Reads
Monthly Action Points (MAP) for the Security Council: May 2023
For June, in which the United Arab Emirates has the presidency of the UN Security Council, the MAP provides recommendations on the situations in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Colombia and Mali.
What works: Strengthening delivery capabilities of women civil society organisations in Jordan
This report focuses on the efforts of Jordanian CSOs with emphasis on women’s organisations, in advancing the women, peace and security agenda. It assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the Jordanian National Action Plan’s implementing partners and examines how international donors can support and enhance their activities.
Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Yemen (2023)
This Climate, Peace and Security fact sheet examines the prolonged political, humanitarian and developmental challenges faced by Yemen. It offers a range of recommended actions for the international community to address these issues effectively.
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Freedom of Religion
This report examines the spaces where freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief (FoRB) and protection from violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity intersect.
In case you missed it
Sri Lanka has adopted its first National Action Plan on WPS, for the period 2023 – 2027 with the support of the Government of Japan and UN Women. The Plan adds to the country’s legal and policy frameworks to protect and empower women in line with UNSCR 1325 and aims to strengthen coordination between peace and security stakeholders. In the continued charged aftermath of Sri Lanka’s conflict and recent wide-scale protests, the new NAP is an opportunity to address injustice in the country.
The Ukraine Recovery Conference took place on the 21 and 22 June in the UK. Many across civil society, including Ukrainian women’s rights organisations, raised the lack of focus on gender equality and the leadership of women in the recovery process. Our members Action Aid, CARE, IRC, Oxfam and Plan International were part of a joint statement on the importance of gender equality in Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
Job Board
Saferworld
Senior Gender Adviser, (locations Saferworld has a presence). Apply by 10 July
PAC Programme Development Manager, (London, hybrid). Rolling deadline
Christian Aid
Humanitarian Programmes Officer, (Dublin, Various UK). Apply by 16 July
Crisis Context Lead, (London). Apply by 16 July
Gender, Protection and Inclusion Advisor, (Belfast, Dublin, London). Apply by 30 June
Women for Women International
Special Events and Philanthropy Senior Officer, (United Kingdom). Apply by July 7
Mercy Corps
Humanitarian Senior Policy Advisor, (Washington D.C.). Rolling deadline
Senior Researcher – Climate Adaptation, Migration, and Displacement, (Portland). Rolling deadline