Women, Peace and Security in the Age of Fragmentation

Authors: Laura Wise, Salma Yusuf, Kasia Houghton, and Fiona Campbell

In this insight report, the authors draw on reflections from an expert workshop and their own reflections to identify key findings and recommendations for policymakers supporting WPS and peace-making interventions in fragmented conflicts.

In Part I, they set out what we understand by ‘global fragmentation’, and how this phenomenon manifests through diversified and competing peace processes, and proliferation of conflict actors. They also explore contemporary global crises facing the WPS agenda, including anti-gender backlash, securitisation, and modern technological and climate threats to women and gender minorities.

In Part II, they identify some new challenges faced by WPS and gender advocates in navigating peace processes under fragmentation, such as the sidelining of gender in mediation, splintering women’s movements, and funding cuts. They also reflect on ways that peace and security actors are navigating multi-mediation to advance gendered perspectives, and the transformative potentials of inclusive grassroots peacemaking in fragmented conflicts.

Finally, in the Conclusion, they propose some ways to rethink WPS in response to global fragmentation, and emphasise the importance of remaining hopeful as feminists during challenging times.

This insight report was published online by the Scottish Council on Global Affairs