Our understanding of the interplay between masculinities, violent conflict and peacebuilding has evolved immensely in recent years due to valuable contributions from both researchers and practitioners. However, this knowledge — as well as men and boys in general — are often overlooked in gender-focused policies and initiatives such as the Women, Peace and Security agenda. USIP spoke to leading scholars and experts about how concepts of masculinities can be incorporated into broader gender analysis and policy agendas on peace and security, as well as how the peacebuilding field can advance a systematic learning agenda on the issue.

Type: Blog

Gender

Women have long been key partners and leaders in peace across Africa, and the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) was created to help further women’s representation in promoting peace and security throughout the continent. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, the first lady of The Gambia and the president of AFLPM, and former Malawi President Joyce Banda discuss how USIP and AFLPM are working together to reduce and prevent violent conflict.

Type: Blog

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Gender

Potential areas of cooperation between the Taliban and the international community, such as private sector development and alternative livelihoods to now-banned opium poppy cultivation, will be on the agenda at a meeting of international envoys for Afghanistan hosted by the United Nations in Doha from June 30 to July 1. Discussions on women’s rights are not included, as the Taliban consider it an internal matter. This is ironic, given that the private sector is one area where the Taliban allow limited women’s participation.

Type: Analysis

Economics;  Gender

The online sharing of gruesome images and videos showing dead and dismembered bodies on social media is commonplace in Papua New Guinea (PNG). For instance, when a horrific massacre took place in Enga province in February this year, it was images shared on WhatsApp that alerted many to the violence.

Type: Analysis

Gender;  Violent Extremism