Back Our Global Reach
Our Global Reach
Smiling woman in white blouse and floral scarf stands at a marina with boats in the background on a sunny day.
28 April 2026
Ukrainian peacebuilder Nina Potarska sails to challenge illegal blockade of Gaza

Nina Potarska, a member of the ICAN-spearheaded Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership, is currently at sea with the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led mission organized with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, en route to Gaza. 

Read Post
Back Resource Library
Resource Library
12 May 2025
The Odd Couple: Women Peacebuilders and Security Actors Bridging Positions, Building Trust

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.

Read Post
21 April 2025
The War Against Ourselves: Afghan Women Peacebuilders’ Response to the Mental Health Crisis in Afghanistan

This case study describes the drivers of the mental health crisis in Afghanistan, its gendered and cultural dimensions, and the strategies used by Afghan women-led peacebuilding organizations to provide solutions. The authors conducted interviews with representatives of Afghan women-led peacebuilding organizations and thematic experts, which were complemented by a desk review of project documentation and […]

Read Post
Back News & Media
News & Media
6 March 2026
Staff Accountant (Remote, US Based)

ICAN is hiring a Staff Accountant to provide financial and administrative support to ICAN’s Finance Director and broader team.

Read Post

violent extremism

مكافحة التطرف في العراق: أفق جديد للسلام

Posted on by Charlotte Morgan

مدينة البصرة في جنوب العراق، المدينة التي تضررت طويلا من الحرب وقلة الاستثمارات، تواجه تهديدات متزايدة بسبب خطاب الكراهية والتطرف وتآكل الثقة بين المواطنين والمؤسسات. وغالبا ما يقع الشباب -وخاصة الشابات- في قلب هذه التوترات، في عالم تتقاطع فيه المضايقات والتحرش الالكتروني مع الواقع. وفي مثل هذه البيئة، تتبنى جمعية الفردوس العراقية (الفردوس) نهجا جديدا […]

Countering Extremism in Iraq: A New Horizon for Peace

Posted on by Charlotte Morgan

Iraqi Al-Firdaws Society (Al-Firdaws) is taking a new approach to peacebuilding. Their project, Horizon: Promoting Community Peace, supported by ICAN’s Innovative Peace Fund (IPF), brings together youth, local security forces, and civil society actors to address violent extremism through dialogue, education, and community-based action. 

Boko Haram and Banditry: Northeast Nigeria’s Deteriorating Security Situation

Posted on by Lauren Mellows

“We need a special intervention, we need our country back, it’s becoming lawless”, warns women’s rights and peace activist, Hamsatu Allamin, WASL member and Founder of Allamin Foundation. The situation in northeast and northwest Nigeria demands urgent international attention, not only as a matter of humanitarian urgency but also for its impact on international peace and security.

How Women Peacebuilders are Balancing Work on COVID-19 and Violent Extremism

Posted on by Lauren Mellows

During the COVID-19 pandemic, women peacebuilders witnessed an increase in xenophobia and extremist messaging. Weakness in state infrastructure and response has left a vacuum which extremist actors have exploited for their own interests. Women peacebuilders are meeting this challenge by building a counter-narrative that is also grounded in the local culture, religion, and traditions.
“We need to be connected with you and establish new working methods for inclusive, sustainable peace,” remarked State Secretary Marianne Hagen from Norway who joined the 9th weekly call with the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL).

Read the full summary of the call.

Policies for Prevention: Exploring the Role of Economics and Gender in Extreme Violence and Violent Extremism

Posted on by Melinda Holmes

July 25th 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Alliance for Peacebuilding: 1800 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20036 Call in available online: https://zoom.us/j/234664955 Or via Telephone: 1 669 900 6833 Meeting ID: 234 664 955 This roundtable event will discuss a gendered analysis of the socioeconomic dimensions of extreme violence and violent extremism. Women peace practitioners […]