GAPS is deeply concerned by last week's announcement of new UK asylum and returns policy by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The proposals focus on restricting rights rather than ensuring safety and protection and mark an alarming shift in the UK's…

In this Shadow Report Assessing UK Government Action of Women Peace and Security in 2024, GAPS assesses the UK Government’s implementation of its fifth National Action Plan (NAP) on…

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…

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…

Toni Haastrup, University of Manchester Among global North countries like the UK, the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda has primarily focused on its implications within international peacebuilding and its applicability to conflict settings. In this context WPS is seen as applying only to the foreign policy domain, in places impacted by challenges that are seen as irrelevant to Global North contexts. This view is endemic to many Western countries’ perceptions of who WPS applies to.

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…

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'.

"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…

Women’s participation in peacebuilding is a crucial step in furthering gender equality, achieving women’s rights and reflecting the needs and perspectives of women directly impacted by the conflict- which are often ignored. But how can we ensure the participation, protection…

Sangeetha Navaratnam-Blair- Policy, Advocacy and Communications Manager (GAPS) In 2024, around 1.5 billion people in over 60 countries will be voting in significant elections. Much of the world’s population will be looking on cautiously at the US election – an…

"Today, a year on, our thoughts are with the family of all those killed, the hostages, the detainees, and those forcibly displaced." Read our GAPS secretariat statement on October 7th here.

Israel strikes on Southern Lebanon The Lebanese health minister reported 569 people have been killed and 1,835 wounded since last Monday in Israeli strikes across Southern Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed the death of its senior…

What is the anti-gender movement?

The UK has traditionally been a champion for gender equality in multilateral spaces. However, as the anti-gender movement spreads moral panic and influences policy, media and elections, the new UK government must reorient its actions to successfully strengthen multilateral consensus on human rights protections for women and LGBTI+ people.

The UK has traditionally been a champion for gender equality in multilateral spaces. However, as the anti-gender movement spreads moral panic and influences policy, media and elections, the new UK government must reorient its actions to successfully strengthen multilateral consensus on human rights protections for women and LGBTI+ people.

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 recent racist and Islamophobic riots in multiple cities across the UK, fuelled by far-right and fascist movements, are deeply distressing and should raise serious concerns for the UK Government. As a network committed to anti-racism, it is crucial that…

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.

The new Government has a mandate and opportunity to make the UK and the wider world more fair and secure. The UK's effective implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is an essential framework to achieve this.

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.