Society, Culture, and Security

The CAF’s Sexual Misconduct Settlement: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward

In December, 2022, the Canadian Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, presented a report to the Canadian parliament that related the progress of the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) efforts at reform in the face of widespread reports of sexual assault in its ranks. The last three years have seen the resignation of many high-level Canadian defence officials, Read More…

Women in Security

Initiatives to help refugee women have room for improvement

Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in refugees fleeing their countries to seek a better life, whether as a result of war-related crises or due to unsafe conditions caused by natural disasters in their home countries, many exacerbated by the increasingly visible impacts of climate change. According to the UN, “Women represent almost half Read More…

Women in Security

Leaving the Sex Industry in Geneva

This is part two of a two-part series examining the sex industry in Geneva and the psychological and physical impacts of this industry on sex workers. This article specifically focuses on SOS Femmes, an association created in 1940, initially created with the support of the religious establishment, though now funded by the Swiss Government in Read More…

Women in Security

Entering the Sex Industry in Geneva

This is part one of a two-part series examining the sex industry in Geneva, specifically sex workers’ rights and obligations as well as the work of ASPASIE (Association Genevoise pour la défense des travailleurs.es du sexe), which represents them. In an interview with Sarah Haddjeri, a Junior Research Fellow at the NATO Association of Canada, Read More…

Sedrik Pocuch Women in Security

Saudi Arabia’s Appalling Record on Women’s Rights

The case of Rahaf Mohammed, who risked her life to flee Saudi Arabia in January, reminded the world that women in Saudi Arabia suffer from tremendous amounts of abuse and are willing to risk their lives in order to escape from violence at home. Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia are extremely limited compared to those Read More…

Women Women in Security Wu Xiao

The Invisible Struggle of Female Migrant Domestic Workers

The recent confession of a Cyprian army officer murdering five migrant women and two children reopened the dialogue of migrant domestic workers’ (MDW) invisible fight against exploitation and human rights violations. Many juxtapose the MDW industry to modern day slavery. Common mistreatment MDW face include: inadequate or withheld wages, unregulated work hours, confiscation of personal identification, forced labour, physical/verbal abuse, and sexual harassment.

Julia Schaumer Women in Security

16 Days Campaign: Interview with Commodore Rebecca Patterson

For NAOC’s final contribution to the 16 Days Campaign, Julia Schaumer has sat down with Commodore Rebecca Patterson to find out a little more about Operation HONOUR and what the Canadian Armed Forces are doing about the issue of sexual misconduct in the military.