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.' 

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. 

The Security Council held its annual debate on women, peace and security in New York this month, titled:  “Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment”. UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, spoke to the contexts of Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan and Yemen, emphasising that we must 'reinforce our resolve to support women advocating for their rights, agency and inclusion at every opportunity'.

19 August marked International Humanitarian Day:

Civil society demonstrated their support for the day, including aid workers in Gaza who paused for a moment of silence, in solidarity with fellow humanitarians and to honour the 289 colleagues killed since October 2023. GAPS joined the calls to #ActforHumanity to ensure the protection of civilians, including humanitarians, in conflict zones & ensure accountability for violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. Read the full thread here. 

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. 

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…

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…

Welcome to GAPS January wrap up. It has been over one week since the ICJ delivered its provisional measures orders in response to South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. Despite no measures ordered of halting military operations in Gaza, it…

This newsletter edition reflects on the past year and GAPS's priorities moving ahead. With the violence in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian Territories escalating into 2024, states and the wider international community must act on their commitments to uphold international…

Welcome to GAPS July wrap-up.  Earlier this year, in March 2023, the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ was introduced to Parliament, with the aim of preventing people from crossing the Channel in small boats. The Bill ensures that asylum claims will be…

Welcome to GAPS May wrap-up.  GAPS attended the 2023 Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development organised by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This year's theme focused on ‘Seeking Solutions for Turbulent Times’ and explored lessons and experiences from past…

GAPS April Newsletter  Welcome to GAPS April wrap-up.  On Tuesday 25th April, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women, Peace and Security (APPG-WPS) and GAPS hosted the UK Government’s Oral Report to Parliament in 2022 on the UK National Action Plan…

GAPS February Newsletter Welcome to the GAPS February wrap up.  On the 23rd of February, GAPS attended the launch of the fifth UK National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security (NAP) at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Our…

Welcome to our November wrap-up. November has been a busy month as COP27 in Egypt came to a close, and GAPS took part in the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) Global Conference happening in London. Ahead of COP27, GAPS released a…

On 16th May, the FCDO released the anticipated International Development Strategy (IDS). The Strategy outlines the Government's key priorities in its approach to International Development. GAPS has written a response to the IDS, examining how…

Welcome to our November wrap-up. This month, all eyes were on COP26 as global leaders, civil society and climate change activists gathered in Glasgow to discuss solutions to the climate crisis. As part of an effort to integrate the women, peace and security and climate…

Updates Response to the Crisis in Afghanistan On Monday 17th August, GAPS wrote to the Prime Minister, and the Secretaries of State for the Home Department, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and Defence about the life-threatening situation facing women and…