Women, Peace and Security Helpdesk: Providing Defence and Security Expertise
RUSI acts as a Resource Partner for the WPS Helpdesk, providing rapid, expert advice on gender, security and conflict to UK government and international partners.
Introduction
RUSI serves as a Resource Partner for the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Helpdesk providing rapid, tailored technical advice on integrating gender perspectives across peace, security and conflict interventions. The Helpdesk is a global mechanism supporting the UK Government to strengthen the implementation of the WPS agenda, advance gender equality in fragile and conflict-affected contexts and ensure gender sensitive approaches in the UKs peace and security work.
The Helpdesk covers a broad range of thematic areas, including:
- WPS policy and practice;
- gender dynamics of violence and conflict
- women's meaningful participation and governance;
- conflict prevention and response;
- protection and gendered security and justice;
- relief and humanitarian efforts in FCAS;
- cybersecurity and gender; and
- gender, conflict and climate change.
RUSI's contribution focuses on strengthening the integration of gender perspectives in the range of security-focused policy and programming.
The WPS Helpdesk
Managed by Saferworld
The WPS Helpdesk is managed by Saferworld with partners including Conciliation Resources, Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS UK), University of Durham, Geneva Centre for Security Sector Reform (DCAF) and Researchers without Borders (Rewib). The WPS Helpdesk was commissioned under UK government frameworks linked to the Integrated Security Fund (ISF), with a global remit.
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Aims and objectives
The WPS Helpdesk provides rapid, expert analysis and practical guidance to support the implementation and integration of WPS concerns in conflict/security-focused policy and programming, and boost UK capacity to sustain the integration and advancement of WPS in line with its National Action Plan. Â
The WPS Helpdesk aims to:Â
- Provide technical advice that integrates WPS and gender analysis into security and conflict policy and programming.
- Translate evidence into practical guidance for officials and implementers, including concise briefs, reviews, and quality-assured recommendations.
- Strengthen capacity through short trainings and accompaniment support where appropriate.
- Support alignment with UK WPS policy commitments and related International Stabilization Force (ISF) delivery, advancing meaningful participation, protection and prevention across contexts.
