Muskaan Waraich explores how addressing violent extremism requires a multifaceted lens: physical, social, political, economic, and cultural factors that all can play a role. She examines the roles women play in extremist activities, both as victims, perpetrators, and enablers, as well as in prevention. She argues that a gender-responsive lens is essential for understanding these dynamics and for designing more effective approaches to preventing violent extremism (PVE).
In this piece, Hermean Japra examines how hybrid warfare, using tools such as disinformation, cyberattacks, and economic pressure, undermines democratic resilience. She analyzes how gendered disinformation and online abuse are used to silence women, limit their participation in public life, and weaken societal resilience. Her analysis outlines practical
strategies NATO can adopt, including improved gender-sensitive threat analysis, support mechanisms for targeted women, and strengthened information resilience systems to counter gender-based hybrid threats.
How could gender-inclusive national service shape Canada’s future defence posture? This article examines the growing debate around universal service in Canada, assesses its implications for Women, Peace and Security commitments under NATO, and draws lessons from Nordic models to consider whether compulsory service could strengthen societal resilience and women’s meaningful participation in defence.
This article looks at how sexual violence operates as a weapon of war in Sudan, and considers NATO’s responsibility to protect women under its Women, Peace & Security (WPS) agenda. It emphasizes the necessity of international collaboration, through policing, justice, and accountability initiatives, in order to strengthen women’s protections and address conflict-related sexual violence.
This article explores how international human rights law, through the CEDAW treaty, can help strengthen NATO’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. It looks at how CEDAW’s legal obligations can support NATO’s goals by adding stronger accountability for member countries. Using Canada as an example, the piece shows how combining legal commitment with political action can make real progress toward equality and women’s roles in peace and security.
Alberta’s latest directive on books has turned heads nationally. But what does it mean for Canadian security? In this article, author Esha Grewal discusses how Alberta’s book ban is a part of the larger, growing trend of divisive policies among NATO countries that threaten social cohesion.
Canada has long championed the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda on the world stage, promoting gender equality in NATO missions and peace operations. Yet, at home, persistent structural barriers in the Canadian Armed Forces have created a gap between advocacy and action. Canada must address these domestic challenges and prioritize women’s meaningful leadership across all levels of the military to align its domestic practices with its global image.