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.
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…
With Iran’s nuclear program on the rise and the Iranian people fighting for their rights to be observed and protected, Dania El-Ayoubi discusses NATO members’ responses and the possible revival of the JCPOA.
In this article, Brynn Hopper explores Poland’s backsliding on women’s rights issues and the implications of a near total ban on abortion.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
In this article David Lazzam reflects on the Afghan peace talks. As the negotiations continue, optimism is belayed by concerns over the potential problems that might arise from the male-dominated negotiations.