This set of Case Studies - Assessing UK Government Action on Women Peace and Security in 2024 complements GAPS’ 2024 Shadow Report by grounding its analysis in the lived experiences of women and girls in conflict-affected contexts. Focusing on Ukraine, the…

Friday’s devastating earthquakes in Myanmar not only caused mass casualties and widespread destruction, they also deepened long-standing gender inequalities – leaving millions of women and girls at heightened risk. With at least 1,600 people have been killed, read Saferworld's response here. UN Women have provided a rapid gender analysis reporting that 'the earthquakes add another layer of hardship as (women and girls) face unsafe conditions, disrupted health services, and heightened risks of gender-based violence and exploitation—especially for girls separated from their families.' 

Read GAPS's secretariat statement in response to the recent UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) report on Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023.The COI report explicitly states that Israel has committed "genocidal acts" against Palestinians in Gaza by "deliberately inflicting on the Palestinian population conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction, in whole or in part."

Bénédicte Aboul-Nasr, Senior Programmes Officer, Great Lakes- Peace Direct The first two months of 2025 have been bleak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Following the resurgence of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23)/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) in 2021,…

The UK has announced cuts to the aid budget while increasing defence spending. CARE’s recent report revealed that UK aid for gender equality fell from £6.3bn in 2019 to £3.4bn in 2022—the lowest on record since reporting began in 2014. With the latest round of cuts announced today, this decline will only deepen, compounding the effects of previous reductions and contributing to a global trend where major donors are pulling back from gender equality commitments.

There has been a critical escalation of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past few weeks, with Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 seizing control of Goma. The heightened risk of sexual violence has been reported by organisations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, who have said more than 1 in 10 young women in camps reported being raped between November 2023 and April 2024.

More than 30,000 Syrians have returned home since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024. The UK has now paused its decision over Syrian asylum-claims. As of December 2024, 6,502 Syrians are waiting the outcome of their asylum claim in the UK. Nadia Hardman, a researcher in the Refugee and Migrants Rights Division of Human Rights Watch, outlined…

25 November marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

This also marked the beginning of #16DaysofActivism against Gender-Based Violence. GAPS has been amplifying resources and activities from partners globally who, amidst the rollback on rights and shrinking civic space, are building a new world that is just and fair. View GAPS's tweets here. The FCDO hosted a reception to mark the 16 Days of Activism, hosted by Minister Phillips and Minister Dodds, which GAPS attended. GAPS was also present at the FCDO-hosted event, with Minister Falconer, to view "The Women Who Beat ISIS" travelling photo exhibition by Farida Global Organisation.

Read the UK's statement at the UN Security Council on CRSV here. 

Detmer Kremer- Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator (GAPS)The Shaping Feminist Foreign Policy Conference hosted by the Dutch Government in November 2023 was marked by its sleek branding: banners, free water bottles, brochures, an app, TV screens, t-shirts, cut-outs for Instagram backdrops, lanyards and more all featured images of carefully selected diverse figures indicating a wide range of gender identities, ethnic backgrounds and abilities. It was also marked by pro-Palestine attendees demanding the then-Dutch Foreign Minister support a ceasefire, which amid this cascade of colourful branding proclaiming inclusion and solidarity, she was unable to do.

Following the Foreign Secretary Rt Hon David Lammy MP’s response to a parliamentary question on 28th October 2024, GAPS and 37 concerned organisations are deeply troubled by these comments and call on the Foreign Secretary to reaffirm the Government’s commitment…

"Dismantling UNRWA would be catastrophic for Palestinians especially in Gaza and the West Bank as they are deprived of essentials such as food, water, medical aid, education and protection. It will also have catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinian refugees…

The UK Government has been elected and new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed his new cabinet with David Lammy as Foreign Secretary and Anneliese Dodds as a Minister in the FCDO as well as a Minister for Women and Equalities in the Department of Education.

With the release of the party manifestos over the past weeks and upcoming UK General Election, this month has been filled with anticipation and opportunity. As a penholder for UNSCR 1325, the incoming Government holds the responsibility to re-commit, reform and propel the WPS agenda forward, to enact the meaningful change that has, so far, been underwhelming. 

As May marks eight months of heightened bombardment and dehumanisation against the Palestinian people, we are sharing yet another newsletter with our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and end to the brutal occupation in Palestine. Alongside many colleagues in civil society and activist spaces, GAPS has been urging the UK Government to take account of their actions which feed and legitimise the violence facing Gaza.

Read our GAPS secretariat statement on the arrest warrants sought by ICC Chief Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan, here.

This month, the UK Government passed the callous Rwanda Safety (Asylum and Immigration) Bill- a clear abuse of the rule of law. This Bill directly undermines the UK’s commitments to Women, Peace and Security…

March 2024 marks one year of implementation for the National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security. To recognise this, GAPS has developed an assessment of UK Government progress on WPS in 2023. This report, informed by four case studies co-created by women’s rights organisations (WROs), women human rights activists and GAPS member organisations, considers the progress and learnings for the UK Government to take forward into the proceeding years of NAP implementation.

Read our report: Assessing UK Government Action on Women, Peace and Security in 2023.   One year on from the launch, GAPS analyses the UK Government’s implementation of the fifth National Action Plan (NAP) on Women Peace and Security (WPS) undertaken…

In February, with the continuation of the genocide, GAPS continued through its feminist mandate to call for an immediate and full ceasefire in Gaza and end to the occupation in Palestine. The UK Government continually fails to uphold its commitments the protection of women and children, as outlined in the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, through its inconsistent and incoherent response to Gaza.

Dear Prime Minister, Subject: The UK must demand that Israel immediately stops its offensive into Rafah and call for a ceasefire now We write to you as international humanitarian, peacebuilding and human rights organisations. Many of us have worked in…