GAPS Newsletter: March 2025
Welcome to the GAPS March Wrap-Up
Friday’s devastating earthquakes in Myanmar not only caused mass casualties and widespread destruction, they also deepened long-standing gender inequalities – leaving millions of women and girls at heightened risk. With at least 1,600 people have been killed, read Saferworld’s response here. UN Women have provided a rapid gender analysis reporting that ‘the earthquakes add another layer of hardship as (women and girls) face unsafe conditions, disrupted health services, and heightened risks of gender-based violence and exploitation—especially for girls separated from their families.‘ The earthquake is also disproportionately impacting refugees in Thailand who have fled the violence in Myanmar.
In Sudan, the Sudanese Armed Forces have recaptured Khartoum from the RSF. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of crimes against humanity, including genocide, and it is unclear what the change in control of the capital city will mean. Systemic sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan — including against children There is an urgent need to protect civilians, assist survivors, and end the war that has exacerbated this suffering. The UK Government issued a statement at the UN Security Council, addressing that acts sexual violence constitute crimes under international law. However, despite recognising that two years of wars have now passed this month, the Government has failed to involve civil society in its plans.
The sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) was held this month in New York. CSW remains a vital space—but one under attack. The rise of far-right movements, anti-gender rhetoric, intersex invisibility, and trans-exclusionary agendas threatens to erase years of progress.
GAPS members have continued to provide statements on the impact of UK aid budget cuts on gender equality, conflict prevention and other areas spanning the WPS agenda. Women are due to bear the brunt of this decision by the UK Government. As Conciliation Resources reported, community peacebuilding work, often led by women and young people, makes decisive contributions to security. By supporting countries to address inequality and insecurity and to develop economically, the aid budget helps prevent instability and conflict, develops alliances and future partners for the UK.
GAPS has published a statement in response to the Independent Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel report: “More than a human can bear”: Israel’s systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023
Israel has continued its violent offensive on Gaza. At least 77 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, including 22 people in an attack on an UNRWA clinic in northern Gaza’s Jabalia. The Israeli military expanded its ground assault on Gaza, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wants to create a new corridor to separate Rafah from Khan Younis in the south. Women for Women International have released a statement on Israel’s violation of the ceasefire, read here. Saferworld has urged for a comprehensive arms embargo in response to Israel’s assault on Gaza. Read Actionaid’s response to the expanded military offensive here.
Amnesty International has called on the Syrian Arab Republic’s government to ensure accountability for sectarian massacres targeting the Alawite minority last month, saying they may constitute war crimes. Amnesty said that “the Syrian government must ensure that the perpetrators of a wave of mass killings targeting Alawite civilians in coastal areas are held accountable.”
March Reads
Conflict Prevention, Women, Peace and Security and Feminist Perspectives
This briefing paper examines the intersection of feminism, conflict prevention, and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. It highlights the overlooked role of prevention within WPS, emphasising feminist approaches to addressing root causes of conflict. Despite progress in gendered conflict analysis, gaps remain in integrating WPS into mainstream prevention efforts. The paper concludes with recommendations for stronger, more inclusive policies to enhance WPS and feminist conflict prevention. Read here.
“More than a human can bear”: Israel’s systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023
In the paper, the Commission examines Israel’s widespread destruction of Gaza and the disproportionate violence against women and children resulting from Israel’s method of war, including the targeting of residential buildings and the indiscriminate use of heavy explosives in densely populated areas. It describes the destruction of Palestinians through reproductive violence and harms resulting from the Israeli Security Forces’ deliberate attacks on sexual and reproductive health care facilities and the collapsed health care infrastructure in Gaza. Read here.
‘There can only be a political solution to this conflict’ – Beyond statements, tangible support to local peacebuilders must complement high level political dialogue and resolutions
Peace Direct’s partners in the DRC speak of the humanitarian crisis, but also, and critically, of the need for the international community and stakeholders within the region to recognise the nuances of the region to meaningfully contribute to peacebuilding endeavours and peace processes. Read here.
Climate Change and Its Impact on Women and Employment Opportunities Among Displaced Populations
This is a policy paper about the climate change and its effect on women and employment among displaced persons. The policy paper focuses on Nineveh and Salah Al Din governorates. The results of the paper suggested that climate change affects men, women, boys and girls, however women and vulnerable groups such as displaced people are disproportionally affected. Read here.
In case you missed it
The GAPS Secretariat and GAPS’s member, the Northern Ireland Women’s Platform (NIWEP), produced a briefing as an outcome from workshops with women peacebuilders from Northern Ireland, Colombia and Iraq. This outlines why feminist movements and organisations are critical actors in addressing structural gender inequality, and how to resource and support their life saving work. Read the full briefing here.
NIWEP and Dr Avila Kilmurray also published a report on the engagement of women in Northern Ireland in international peacebuilding and networking over the last 30 years. The report is available on NIWEP’s website here.
Women Deliver released a statement in the lead up to CSW, reflecting on the current weaponisation of women and girl’s rights that we are witnessing globally. Read the full statement here.
In the face of multi-layered risk, what are the necessary conditions for Libyan women to participate safely in peace and security reprisals? Learn from our guests, Catherine Turner and Noura El Jerbi, on Mind the GAPS: A Women, Peace and Security podcast. Listen to the episode here.
Peace Direct is convening a global peacebuilding gathering for local peacebuilders and their allies. Held in Nairobi, Kenya, Peace Connect will bring together hundreds of peacebuilders from the Global South to share, learn and create. Apply here.
Job Board
Womankind Worldwide
Co-chair (London, Unpaid), 2 May.
Her Voice Manager (London or Nigeria), 6 April.
GADN
2x Trustee (London), 27 April
Women for Women International
People, Capability, Culture and Operations Officer (London)
Plan International
NextGen Director, (Global), 13 April.