The Gender and Security Sector Lab

The Gender and Security Sector Lab

@gsslab.bsky.social

Based at Cornell University. We aim to enhance the security of vulnerable populations around the world by helping to create more gender-responsive security forces globally. PI: Dr. Sabrina Karim https://linktr.ee/gsslab

264 followers161 following136 posts

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

🔔 New Paper Alert 🔔 Dr. Sabrina Karim and Dr. Taylor Vincent have published a paper for PRIO Centre on Gender, Peace and Security! The article explores the ❓: How have security sector actors addressed conflict-related sexual violence? Read ⬇️ @sabrinamkarim.bsky.social @tvincent.bsky.social

gps.prio.orgState security sector engagement and conflict-related sexual violence – PRIO Centre on Gender, Peace and SecurityThe Missing Peace Series: Understanding Conflict-related Sexual Violence through Research, Policy and Practice
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

The UN is in a funding crisis. What could happen to peacekeeping? Dr. Roya Izadi (@royaizadi.bsky.social) and Dr. Cameron Mailhot wrote about it for Good Authority. They argue dwindling funding jeopardizes decades of hard-earned expertise. Questions also remain about the capacity of alternatives.

Good Authority@goodauth.bsky.social

Here's what political science research can tell us about U.N. peacekeeping – and the alternatives. goodauthority.org/news/the-big...

goodauthority.orgThe bigger risk from funding cuts to U.N. peacekeepingGlobal conflict is surging, but U.N. peacekeeping budgets are shrinking. Learn how these cuts jeopardize essential missions and what it means for international security.
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

"My research leads me to ask another question: When Jane Doe first reported what happened to her, was the response consistent with the basic principles of trauma-informed and gender-responsive policing?" - PI Dr. Sabrina Karim (@sabrinamkarim.bsky.social) for Slate (@slate.com) Read more below.

slate.comI Research Gender-Based Policing at Cornell. Here’s How My Campus Police Should Have Responded to Jane Doe. (Gift Article)Gender-responsive policing recognizes people of different genders can experience crime, victimization, and interactions with law enforcement differently.
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

A #MOWIP barrier assessment was conducted in Liberia in 2022. Three years later, what had changed? Recently, GSS Lab Faculty Advisor Dr. Roya Izadi and Faculty Affiliate Dr. Priscilla Torres presented their findings from their MOWIP Action Update for the Armed Forces for Liberia (AFL). 🧵1/3

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

After interviewing leadership and key decision-makers in the AFL in July 2025, they found strides made in areas like housing, pay, and healthcare. Despite constraints in funding for full resource mobilization, AFL leadership was enthusiastic about continuing to champion and prioritize reform. 🧵2/3

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

📅 SAVE THE DATE: October 9, 2026 #WomeninPeacekeeping have improved local communities, mission mandates, & peacekeeping overall. How can these advantages be communicated & address declines in funding for peacekeeping? Tune in to our 5th #policybrief on 10/9 to hear our answers. Stay tuned!

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is blocking promotions for women in the military, saying diverse leadership is degrading the quality of the armed forces. Our research finds the opposite is true. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/u... 🧵 1/3

nytimes.comWomen’s Share of Top Military Promotions Falls as Hegseth Blocks NomineesThe percentage of high-ranking officer nominations going to women is currently at its lowest level in over two decades.
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

When women have tactical and leadership roles, we see better retention rates, decreased sexual misconduct, and erosion of gender biases. #Genderequality in security forces is not tokenism. It's a rational institutional decision to bolster mission success & improve organizational culture. 🧵 2/3

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

Want to learn more? Read more about our work at www.sabrinamkarim.com/gsslab #polisky #gendersky #PeteHegseth #WomenPeaceSecurity #InclusivePeacekeeping #Academia 🧵 3/3

sabrinamkarim.comGender and Security Sector Lab — Dr. Sabrina M. KarimThe Gender and Security Sector Lab is dedicating to better understanding how gender shapes the security forces (police and military) of countries around the world. The lab is currently surveying poli...
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

Another timely article by GSS Lab Faculty Advisor Dr. Roya Izadi (@royaizadi.bsky.social)! Read her latest for @goodauth.bsky.social ⤵️

Good Authority@goodauth.bsky.social

What can history and political science tell us about the resilience of the Islamic Republic’s government and institutions? Here's why Washington keeps misreading Iran. goodauthority.org/news/why-was...

goodauthority.orgWhy Washington keeps misreading IranWhat history and political science can tell us about the resilience of the Islamic Republic’s government and institutions.
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

GSS Lab members Dr. Sabrina Karim, Dr. DeAnne Roark, Dr. Hatti Sellers and Janna Solomon attended two days of collaborative discussion sessions in #NewYorkCity, capped by a roundtable with policy and military advisors about how this evidence can propel institutional change.

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

📣 Article alert 📣 GSS Lab Faculty Advisor Dr. Roya Izadi (@royaizadi.bsky.social) wrote for @goodauth.bsky.social about the expansion of militaries into the civilian economy in the wake of USAID cuts. Congratulations Dr. Izadi! You can find the full piece ⤵️

Roya Izadi@royaizadi.bsky.social

In this @goodauth.bsky.social piece, I explain how sudden withdrawal of USAID has created a domino of economic militarization across Africa and beyond. This piece is part of a broader project with wonderful @katjakleinberg.bsky.social on the consequences of economic shocks and militarization.

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

Our work in Fiji has spanned over a year, including several trips to the country and countless hours of behind-the-scenes planning and analysis. Those efforts have resulted in well-rounded research, lasting connections, and a path for full and meaningful security force participation for all. 🧵2/3

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

📹WATCH: The United Nations Department of Peace Operations recently held a webinar titled “From Commitment to Impact: Advancing Uniformed Women’s Participation and Leadership in UN Peacekeeping.” Delegate Gabriella Gonzalez from Uruguay offers some crucial points:

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

📘 Barrier Assessments are #essential to understanding and improving cultural operational challenges 👩‍🍼Caregiving responsibility measures reduce significant barriers to #WomeninPeacekeeping 📊 Data is more important than ever to achieving #genderequality in peace operations

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

2025 was a banner year for #MOWIP! 👏 We are proud to partner with diverse personnel, researchers, and organizations to advance gender‑responsive security environments. Evidence‑based policy change is essential and we’re excited to continue this work in the coming year. Elsie's full report ⤵️

elsiefund.orgThe Elsie Initiative FundDesigned and established with the support of the broader Canadian Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, Member States, the UN system and peacekeeping experts, the Elsie Initiative Fund is an...
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

Two NEW @ipinst.bsky.social papers make clear that more tools are needed to ensure #genderequality is a genuine priority for @unpeacekeeping.bsky.social missions. When peacekeeping is more inclusive, it's more successful. Let's continue to make #WPS a reality! READ the full papers ⤵️

International Peace Institute@ipinst.bsky.social

🔔 New IPI Policy Paper: What makes peace operations genuinely gender-responsive in practice—not just on paper? Lessons from UNMISS, AMISOM, and ATMIS. 👉 https://bit.ly/4dKJFu0

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

🔵 AI can reinforce biases, or it can mitigate them. It's important that security institutions choose the latter. 🔵 Informed oversight is crucial for strengthened, sustainable AI use. 🔵 Bottom-up approaches guided by civil society must be in focus. 🧵 2/3

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

We are so excited by the progress of this project and to see comprehensive, empirically-driven research in action. Thank you to The Elsie Initiative Fund, UN Women, The Malawi Police Service, and Institute of Public Opinion and Research for your support and hard work! 📸 by Dr. Taylor Vincent

The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

New policy paper from the International Peace Institute examines the role of military gender advisers in UN peacekeeping. It highlights key challenges and offers recommendations to better integrate gender expertise and strengthen WPS implementation in missions. Read more ⬇️

linkedin.com🔔 New IPI Policy Paper: The Role of Military Gender Advisers in UN Peacekeeping Operations Implementing the women, peace, and security agenda has the potential to strengthen the operational… | Int...🔔 New IPI Policy Paper: The Role of Military Gender Advisers in UN Peacekeeping Operations Implementing the women, peace, and security agenda has the potential to strengthen the operational effect...
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

Exciting progress from Zambia 🇿🇲 A new women’s accommodation and daycare facility, developed in response to MOWIP findings, is helping remove structural barriers to women’s participation in peace operations. A strong example of how evidence-based reform can drive real, institutional change. 🌍✨

linkedin.com#womeninpeacekeeping #inclusivepeacekeeping #investinpeace | Deborah Warren SmithIt was a privilege to join the Zambia Police Service and UNDP Zambia at the Geoffrey Mukuma Paramilitary Training School — also known as Sondela — for the opening of the newly constructed Women’s Acco...
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

Excited to share a new article by Dr. Roya Izadi (@royaizadi.bsky.social) in Journal of Democracy: “The War with Iran Made the IRGC Stronger.” The piece examines how the war has likely strengthened the IRGC and further militarized Iranian politics. Read more ⬇

linkedin.comThe War with Iran Made the IRGC Stronger | Journal of Democracy | Roya IzadiIn this Journal of Democracy essay, I argue that the war with Iran has made the IRGC stronger. The IRGC is likely coming out of the war more embedded within the Iranian politics and society. The Islam...
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

We’re excited that Dr. Sabrina Karim (@sabrinamkarim.bsky.social) will present at the American Academy in Berlin on April 23. 🎉 Her talk, “Pockets of Restraint in Violent Security Forces,” examines how restraint can emerge even in violent institutional settings. The event will be live-streamed ⬇️

americanacademy.dePockets of Restraint in Violent Security Forces - American Academy in BerlinBerthold Beitz Lecture Pockets of Restraint in Violent Security Forces In democracies and autocracies across the world, security forces respond to protests in v
The Gender and Security Sector Lab
@gsslab.bsky.social

Exciting progress with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces 🇫🇯 The Lab supported both focus groups and validation workshops as part of the MOWIP process. It’s been great to engage with service members, develop recommendations, and complete the validation phase of the RFMF MOWIP report. #RMFM #EIF