WPS Event Podcasts

Why Women's Lives Don't Matter: ignoring sexual violence in conflict - Surood Mohammed Falih, Pramila Patten and Robinah Rubimbwa reflect on factors that give rise to sexual violence, persistent gaps in state and multilateral efforts as well as the effective prevention and response strategies that have been put in place.

Putting Peace Back into Politics- Professor Monica McWilliams, Halima Mohamed, and Dr Amina Rasul discuss the challenges and obstacles of putting peace back onto the agenda and back into politics.

Is Peace Just the Absence of War?- 21 September marks the International Day of Peace, an opportunity to commit to building a culture of peace. But what exactly is a culture of peace and how do we build it? On this 40th anniversary of World Peace Day our world is far from peaceful.

Art and Memory- Listen to the role of the arts in remembering and making visible the effects of conflict, especially its hidden and uncommon narratives.

Gendered Dynamics of International Labour Migration- Listen to results from the "Gendered Dynamics of International Labour Migration" project studying the economic and socio-cultural practices, including gender discrimination, of female international labour migration, and their experiences during Covid-19.

Exposing the cracks: COVID-19 and global inequality- Join our speakers to discuss whether the pandemic can be used as a disruption to the system – exposing cracks that can be exploited to confront power and inequality – or whether it is business-as-usual, exacerbating inequalities and privileging those with power.

Survival and Activism under Occupation - With a focus on Myanmar and Palestine, for our fifth session in the Coming of Age of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda series, we asked how do social activists survive and thrive under military dictatorships and occupation forces?

African migration, human rights and literature- Professor Banda examines the topic of migration through the prism of law and literature, using a rich mix of novels, short stories, literary realism, human rights and comparative literature to explore the experiences of African migrants and asylum seekers.

Talking to Extremists: Gender, power and belonging - In the second event of the "Coming of Age of Women Peace and Security, In Conversation" series, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE hosts three guests who have had the courage and conviction to talk to extremists.

Defending The Future: gender, conflict and environmental peace- This event launches a report by LSE WPS, Women’s International Peace Centre and Gender Action for Peace and Security on the intersection of WPS, climate change, ecological destruction and conflict affected situations.

COVID-19 and its Impact on Gender, Justice and Security- In this event we took stock of the changing social and political landscapes, locally and internationally, one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Three Co-Directors of the UKRI GCRF Gender, Justice and Security Hub discuss key questions around the response to and impact of the pandemic on social rights, as well as the opportunities for positive change.

Warfare and Peacemaking in the 21st Century: who's taking responsibility to protect and promote peace- In this, the first 'In Conversation with' event, Centre Director Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, delves into the real world experiences and efforts to bring the vision and promise of the Women, Peace and Security agenda to life.

- Twenty years ago, the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery took place in Tokyo, Japan. We are joined by a panel discussion between some of those involved in the work of the Tribunal and featuring in the documentary.

Listen to the event from the 8th December- speakers: Christine Chinkin, Tina Dolgopol, Jane Gordon, Heisoo Shin and Mina Watanabe.

Listen to the event from the 10th December- speakers: Louise Arimatsu, Patricia Viseur Sellers, Christine Chinkin, Gabrielle K. McDonald and Indai Sajor.

New Directions in Women, Peace and Security: Climate, Race, Sexuality, Militarism - the panel explore the challenges, tensions and future directions for the Women, Peace and Security agenda as we approach the twentieth anniversary of its founding resolution.

International and Inter-Governmental Institutions: what mandate for a gender-just peace? - This panel explores strategies and practices of feminist peace from the perspective of international mandate holders and institutions. It queries how such a vision might be secured, not least in the contemporary political climate and in light of the current global pandemic.

Strategies & Practices for Gender-Just Peacebuilding - This panel is a discussion among women peacebuilders, exploring the strategies pursued by peacebuilders in reimagining and rearticulating peaceful geographies. The discussion will explore what constitutes a feminist peace and strategies to pursue it, as well as how we might articulate peace as plural, complex, intersectional and multi-sited.

Can we Archive Memories? Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp and beyond - "Greenham Woman Everywhere" is a project to interview the women who formed the Greenham Common Peace Camp, which was established to protest nuclear weapons being placed at RAF Greenham Common in Berkshire, between 1981 – 2000. This special panel event will include a discussion from the organisers of the Greenham Woman Everywhere project alongside LSE Library archivists, where we will explore some of the issues around archiving memories such as those of Greenham Common and beyond.

This event is co-hosted by the Centre and the LSE Librar

International Law and a Gender-Just Peace - A discussion among international lawyers and experts, this panel explores what might be the components of a feminist peace, how such a vision might be possible in today’s international law and what changes to the structures of international law might be needed.

The Role of Academia in Realising the Promise of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda - As we look forward to the next decade of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, this event will examine the role, contributions and potential of academic institutions – in research, advocacy, education and cross-sector engagement – in addressing the gaps that exist, determining how best to prepare and serve the next generation and contribute to the full realisation of the WPS agenda. 8 September 2020.

Mediation or Militarization: Resolving Conflicts in the Age of Corona - This seminar will brought together the experiences of women peacebuilders from the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth (WMC) network who for many years have been mediating multi-party conflicts, and who are now also responding to the challenges that COVID-19 presents in conflict-settings with pragmatism, agility and flexibility.

Implementing Women, Peace and Security: Localisation in the OSCE Region- This webinar presents the results of the recent study Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in the OSCE Region, focussing on and discussing one of the main findings - how to further develop localisation of the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda and National Action Plans. 1 June 2020.

COVID-19 and Violent Extremism: Gender Perspectives - Though focus is often placed on the government response to COVID19, the pandemic has also allowed for violent extremist groups to both leverage and capitalise off the effects of COVID-19 which impacts both women and men differently. 3 June 2020.

Transformative Peace and National Action Plans: Yemen’s story- With the war in its sixth year, the panellists explore both the potential of and gaps in Yemen’s NAP during these uncertain times and draw on examples from similar contexts. 2 June 2020.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the time of COVID-19: A hidden pandemic? This seminar asks how and in what ways the global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) from the perspectives of policy making, advocacy and practice. This seminar also asks how the COVID-19 responses have impacted women, girls, and LGBTQ+ persons affected by conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). 27 May 2020.

Olive Branch or Fig Leaf? The Risks and Opportunities of the Global Ceasefire Call in the Time of Corona - as the UN Secretary General called for a global ceasefire in March to end the destruction, save lives and bring a degree of security that would enable better access for humanitarian and relief services, this seminar asks are the ceasefires taking place and holding? 12 May 2020.

The COVID-19 Crisis Response: putting women at the centre - Perhaps more than previous epidemics, COVID-19 has demonstrated that whilst outbreaks can affect anyone, women are often differentially affected – within the home, within the economy and within policy space. This seminar considers the role of women in leadership and the impact of COVID-19 on women.

This event was co-hosted with the LSE Institute of Global Affairs. 29th April 2020.

COVID-19: A Gender Perspective on the Growing Humanitarian Crisis - Join leading experts for a virtual discussion on the urgent need for a gender-responsive approach to mitigating COVID-19 and global strategies for effectively addressing the pandemic's impact. 8th April 2020.

When the Going Gets Tough: Women and the future of Global Peace and Security - New Centre Director Sanam Naraghi Anderlini discusses the role, experiences and ongoing contributions of women, particularly national and transnational women's movements in tackling some of the the world's most intractable security threats and conflicts. 10th February 2020.

Intractable Conflicts, Inspired Peacemakers: Voices from the frontline - Members of the Women Mediators from across the Commonwealth Network explore the value of mediation and peacebuilding and how this work can enhance and link with the regional, national and international peace processes and mechanisms. 25 November 2019.

Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: national action plans and beyond - Professor Laura Shepherd provides an overview of the mechanisms for implementation on the National Action Plans (NAPs) and introduces a new database that presents quantitative analysis of the 81 current national action plans to identify trends and emerging issues. 3 October 2019.

Rethinking Peace From a Queer Feminist Perspective What does peace mean in today’s world of endless wars? Why has the project of ‘universal peace’, so ardently hoped for by the drafters of the UN Charter in 1945, failed so profoundly? Professor Otto reflects on these questions through three stories of peace. 26 September 2019.

A Feminist Perspective of the Syrian Political Process: Return of Displaced Syrians, Reconstruction, and an Engendered Constitution - Event launching the policy papers by the Syrian Women’s Political Movement on an engendered constitution, the return of displaced Syrians and reconstruction. 10 June 2019.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as Part of the WPS Project - Panel discussion on the inclusion and collaboration with LGBTQ individuals in the WPS agenda. 28 May 2019.

What Does a Gender Perspective Bring to Crimes Against Humanity Genocide, and War Crimes? Event launching the European Research Council research project, Gendered Peace. 2 May 2019.

Women and Weapons Event launching the Arts and Humanities Research Council research project, A Feminist International Law of Peace and Security 13 December 2018.

From Pillars to Practice: pushing the boundaries of 'Women, Peace and Security' Panel discussion launching the Oxford Handbook of Women, Peace and Security 29 November 2018

#AidToo: where do we go from here? Panel event considering how different sectors and disciplines understand the scope of the #AidToo movement. 15 Ocober 2018

From Transitional To Transformative: justice for conflict-related violence against women Event launching 'Conflict-related Violence Against Women: Transforming Transition' by Aisling Swaine 23 April 2018.

.A panel discussion on the UK launch of the Women, Peace and Security Index - the first global index bridging both women’s inclusion and access to justice, as well as security. 30 November 2017.

Gender equality: How can the UN lead? A panel discussion on why the UN remains deeply unequal in relation to gender, and suggested methods for addressing this issue. 7 November 2017.

Feminist social mobilisation in the negotiation and construction of peace in Colombia. Erika Rodríguez Gómez talks about her experience as a human rights defender and shares her reflections about the current situation in Colombia. 18 October 2017.

Chile: promoting the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean. Liuteneant Commander Marcela Vergara discusses the Chilean approach to implementation of the WPS agenda, and why it is both a national and collective responsibility. 28 September 2017.

UN Peace Operations: Politics, Human Rights and Leadership. Current and former women leaders of UN peace operations discuss some of the most challenging aspects facing UN peace operations today. 21 September 2017.

Women, Peace and Security in practice in Pakistan. Activist in Residence at the Centre for Women, Peace and Security and Co-founder of PAIMAN Alumni Trust, Mossarat Qadeem, discusses her work engaging communities in preventing and countering violent extremism. 1 August 2017.

International Law and New Wars. By failing to address 'new wars' international law has added to insecurity. Is it time for a second generation human security resting upon the laws of humanity? Christine Chinkin and Mary Kaldor, joined by Javier Solana, discuss their new book International Law and News Wars. 20 June 2017.

Women, Peace and Security in the Global Arena. Leaders from academic units dedicated to women / gender, peace and security discuss how scholars and researchers worldwide holding governments to account for their local and international women, peace and security commitments. 5 June 2017.

Tightening the Purse Strings: What countering terrorism financing costs gender equality and security. Isabelle Geuskens and Jayne Huckerby, joined by Zarina Khan, discuss their report on the impact of countering terrorism financing on women civil society and women's rights. 8 May 2017.

Butterfly Politics. Catharine A MacKinnon discussing her new book, in which she argues that the right seemingly minor interventions in the legal realm can have a butterfly effect that generates major social and cultural transformations. 18 May 2017.

Combatting and Preventing Violence against Women: from CEDAW to Istanbul and beyond. Dr Dubravka Šimonović, Visiting Professor in Practice and UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences discusses her remit, current challenges and priorities. 12 January 2017.

Working on Gender Equality in Fragile Contexts. A panel with Caroline Sweetman (chair), Bele Grau, Diana Koester, Corrie Sissons, Rainatou Sow and Hannah Bond (discussant) convened for the launch of Gender and Development journal’s new issue, which is dedicated to the challenges of working on gender in fragile contexts. 6 December 2016. Download Video.

Women's Human Rights and Access to Justice for Gender-Based Violence: A view from legal practice in the UK. Discussion with Karon Monaghan, Pragna Patel and Harriet Wistrich of the challenges in securing women's and girls' access to justice for gender-based violence, in the context of the UK's existing human rights obligations and the campaign for ratification of the Istanbul Convention. 10 November 2016.

Social Transformation in Post Conflict Nepal: A gender perspective. Panel discussion with Punam Yadav, Marsha Henry, David N Gellner and Christine Chinkin (chair) on Punam Yadav's book, the first study to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between armed conflict and social transformation from a gender perspective. 8 November 2016.

Video: Tackling Sexual Violence in Conflict: An integrated approach. Panel event co-hosted with the UK Gender Action for Peace and Security Network and Women for Women International, with Baroness Anelay, the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Brita Fernandez Schmidt and Antoinette Uwimana.

Video: Myths and Realities in Women, Peace and Security. Public lecture by Madeleine Rees, Secretary General of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and Visiting Professor in Practice. 22 September 2016.

The Challenge of Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Crimes. Michelle Jarvis. Keynote delivered during the conference Prosecuting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: What have we learnt? 16 June 2016.

Challenges in Investigating and Prosecuting at the International Level. Patricia Sellers and Maxine Marcus; Chair: Christine Chinkin. This panel discussion took place during the conference Prosecuting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: What have we learnt? 16 June 2016.

Anything Can Happen: Mapping challenges and opportunities in the post-2015 women, peace and security agenda. Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, introduced by Associate Professor Laura J Shepherd. Keynote delivered during the Women, Peace and Security Post 2015: concepts, criticisms, challenges workshop on 9 March 2016.

On International Women's Day, Visiting Fellows Dr Paul Kirby and Associate Professor Laura J Shepherd took part in Reintroducing Women, Peace and Security, the launch of a special issue of International Affairs. Also speaking: Dr Soumita Basu and Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin. Listen to the podcast (on Chatham House site).

Women, Peace and Security Conversations: Charlesworth and Chinkin re-examine the boundaries of international law. Professors Hilary Charlesworth and Christine Chinkin discuss their ground-breaking feminist analysis of international law. Hosted by Lucy Reed at Freshfields, Bruckhaus Deringer, and chaired by Dr Gina Heathcote.

The Politics of Gender Justice at the International Criminal Court: Legacies and legitimacy. Does the International Criminal Court's poor record in prosecuting sexual and gender-based crimes threaten its ongoing legitimacy? Professor Louise Chappell discusses her new book and the challenges and opportunities confronting the ICC.

Towards a Feminist Foreign Policy. Activist, social entrepreneur and media commentator Zainab Salbi, in discussion with Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Margot Wallström. Download Audio I Video

Women, Peace and Security Conversations: Exploring issues old and new with Professor Cynthia Enloe. Dr Marsha Henry in conversation with Professor Cynthia Enloe on the Centre's agenda; the gendered effects of militarisation; the question of gender relations as causal in the militarisation and war; and much more.

CEDAW Today: Evolution and challenges in a conflict-affected world. Jane Connors, former chief of the Women's Rights Division in the UN, and Dr Lilian Hofmeister, current member of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. presented and take questions on the role and development of CEDAW.

Women, Peace and Security: tackling the cycle of violence. Professor Christine Chinkin explored UNSCR 1325, PSVI, and the international legal framework for addressing violence against women and promoting human rights for women, themes central to the context and ambition for the Centre for Women, Peace and Security. Download: Audio I Video

Centre for Women, Peace and Security launch event. Former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie speak at the Centre's launch event on 10 February 2015.