The Odd Couple: Women Peacebuilders and Security Actors Bridging Positions, Building Trust

Peacemaking Reports

Odd Couple Cover Cropped - International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)

The WPS agenda has proven a vital entry point for women peacebuilders to engage with the security sector and build trust within affected communities. These efforts—often invisible—are contributing to the reform of the sector, reshaping local security environments and mitigating violence. In March 2024, ICAN, in partnership with the Norwegian Mission to the UN, convened the first formal dialogue between civil society women peacebuilders and security actors at the United Nations—Bridging Positions, Building Trust: Women Peacebuilders and Security Sector Actors. This report captures the key discussions, initiatives, and actionable recommendations, focusing on three core areas of work between the two sectors: addressing the threat of violent extremism; reframing and reforming the security sector; and confronting election-related violence.

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Protecting Women Peacebuilders: The Front Lines of Sustainable Peace (Arabic)

This report distills the range of threats to women peacebuilders, analyzes existing protection mechanisms, and provides guidance to protect women peacebuilders. This report is also available in English, Farsi, French, Spanish, and Turkish. See related operational guidance on how to establish and enhance the protection of women peacebuilders here.

Case Studies on the Role of Gender and Identity in Shaping Positive Alternatives to Extremisms

These case studies emphasize how attention to gender and intersectional identities can transform extremisms and enable peaceful, pluralistic futures. Access a full set of compiled case summaries here.

Case Summaries: Case Studies on the Role of Gender and Identity in Shaping Positive Alternatives to Extremisms

Summaries of case studies emphasizing how attention to gender and intersectional identities can transform extremisms and enable peaceful, pluralistic futures. Access a full set of compiled case studies here.

Race, Power and Peacebuilding

This report aims to explore and to understand how racism manifests itself in the peacebuilding sector.

Recognizing Women Peacebuilders: Critical Actors in Effective Peacemaking (Farsi)

This report explores the motivations, activities, and tactics of women peacebuilders, and offers guidance for guaranteeing their meaningful participation. This report is also available in English, French, Spanish, Turkish. See related operational guidance on guaranteeing the participation of women peacebuilders in track one peace processes here.

Recognizing Women Peacebuilders: Critical Actors in Effective Peacemaking (French)

Recognizing Women Peacebuilders: Critical Actors in Effective Peacemaking (Spanish)

Protecting Women Peacebuilders: The Front Lines of Sustainable Peace

This report distills the range of threats to women peacebuilders, analyzes existing protection mechanisms, and provides guidance to protect women peacebuilders. This report is also available in Arabic, Farsi, French, Spanish, and Turkish. See related operational guidance on how to establish and enhance the protection of women peacebuilders here.

Protecting Women Peacebuilders: The Front Lines of Sustainable Peace (Farsi)

This report distills the range of threats to women peacebuilders, analyzes existing protection mechanisms, and provides guidance to protect women peacebuilders. This report is also available in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and Turkish. See related operational guidance on how to establish and enhance the protection of women peacebuilders here.

The Odd Couple: Women Peacebuilders and Security Actors Bridging Positions, Building Trust

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