GAPS Newsletter: September 2023
Welcome to the GAPS September wrap-up.
On the 16th of September it was one year since the murder of Mahsa Jina Amini, which sparked widespread protests and continued resistance across Iran. The strict system of gender-based segregation, which a group of Iranian and Afghan women and their allies is calling for to be recognized as gender apartheid, remains in place and is violently enforced by the Iranian regime. GAPS joined the Azadi Network and Sarah Olney MP to recognize this anniversary and stand in solidarity on 19 September.
In September, GAPS participated in the Colombian National Forum on the development of the country’s first WPS NAP. Our Director, Eva Tabbasam, gave a keynote speech on GAPS’s experiences and recommendations on NAP implementation. During her trip, Eva also provided technical training and support to key government ministries involved in developing and implementing the NAP and met with the 1325 civil society network.
GAPS have continued to provide inputs into consultations about the new International Development White Paper. We have done so in written and oral form, including evidence submissions coordinated by GAPS as well as those of other networks and in-person consultations with different members of the White Paper development team and other relevant stakeholders. The White Paper itself is expected to be published by the government in the autumn.
GAPS attended a consultation with the new Scottish minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie, to feed into the development of Scotland’s Feminist Foreign Policy and Feminist Approaches to International Relations, where we fed in inputs from the research and recommendations being developed by the GAPS Network.
GAPS are beginning preparations for the United Nations Security Council Women Peace and Security Week, which will take place at the end of October. GAPS will hold a closed-door session on the Colombia NAP Development Process and a public event on participation in decision-making and peace processes and WPS NAPs. Follow us on our social media for more updates.
Lastly, the make-up of our team is changing. GAPS wishes Anjana Ahilan all the best as she continues her studies and thanks her for her hard work. We are very pleased Sangeetha Navaratnam-Blair will be returning from her maternity leave on Monday the second of October! Florence, who was Sangeetha’s maternity cover, will be with us until 27 October. We have successfully recruited a new PAC Officer, who will be starting in mid-October.
September Reads
Gender, Cultural Identity, Conflict and Climate Change
Over the past 12 months, GAPS member Conciliation Resources worked closely with partners and pastoralist, Indigenous and Kashmiri communities in Uganda, the Philippines and Pakistan to understand how gender and socio-cultural norms, relationships and power dynamics affect different people’s experiences of climate change, the types of responses they adopt, and how this shapes conflict dynamics and opportunities for peace for their latest report.
Transforming Partnerships in International Collaboration
GAPS member Peace Direct’s new guide shows how collaboration across the sector can help reimagine partnerships that are more equitable and decolonised, by approaching them with the values of mutuality, humility, respect and trust. Transforming Partnerships in International Cooperation
Norway’s National Action Plan: Women Peace and Security (2023-2030)
Norway’s recently launched National Action Plan is a long-term ambitious NAP with especially innovative language on policy coherence between domestic and foreign policy.
In case you missed it
Mind the GAPS will be back for season 2 in the very near future! On this podcast, we explore the world of Women, Peace and Security through speaking to experts and practitioners from around the world working under the umbrella of Women, Peace and Security. Find season 1, which covers topics including funding challenges, participation in Colombia’s peace process, and the UK immigration system as just some of the topics, for free on our website or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
As part of the SDG acceleration weekend in New York UN Women hosted a global convening moment at the midpoint moment of Generation Equality activities. The event launched the 2023 accountability report and included reflections on progress made and challenges ahead. The accountability report includes a snapshot of progress on the WPS-HA Compact, which identifies increased commitments needed across all 5 thematic pillars.
Job Board
United Nations Association – UK
Head of Campaigns, (London). Rolling basis
Saferworld
Director of Policy and Programmes. Apply by 22 October
Plan International UK
People Advisor (London). Apply by 2 October
International Alert
Consultancy – Conflict Sensitivity in Demining Expert. Apply by 15 October
Christian Aid
Humanitarian Programmes Manager (Dublin). Apply by 15 October