GIWPS delivered a briefing at NATO about our Women Peace and Security Index—developed in partnership with the Peace Research Institute of Oslo—and explained why a gender perspective is critical to operational effectiveness.
NATO’s Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller delivered opening remarks at the event, warmly welcoming her alma mater Georgetown University to the alliance. She was followed by Ambassador Bo Oystein, Permanent Representative of Norway in NATO, who introduced the WPS Index.
Lieutenant General Steven Shepro, Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee, then spoke about the importance of “seeing inclusion in leadership and coming from leadership.” He said it is always preferable to source, respect, and engage 100% of the population instead of 50%.
Dr. Jeni Klugman and Amb. Melanne Verveer presented an overview of GIWPS and the WPS Index. They noted that women, peace and security is not a women’s issue: it’s an issue that affects our ability to carry out the peace and security agenda. When women are accorded full and equal rights, societies are far more peaceful.
Clare Hutchinson, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, moderated the panel.