April 2026 Newsletter

March was a dynamic and impactful month for WIIS Global and our affiliates, as we celebrated Women’s History Month through key initiatives and global engagement.

• Introducing a New Global Security Leadership Fellow: WIIS is proud to welcome Molly Middlehurst as a Global Security Leadership Fellow.  She brings extensive expertise at the intersection of gender disinformation, online violence, and hybrid threats. Through her fellowship, Molly will contribute to programming, policy initiatives, expert roundtables, publications, and mentorship.
• Mentorship Program Kick-Off: WIIS Global officially launched its 2026 mentorship cohort, supporting members across career stages  with professional development, knowledge-sharing, and leadership skills.
• CSW70 Participation – New York: The WIIS Global team attended CSW70, engaging in critical discussions on gender equality and strengthening the role of women in peace and security.
• Women’s History Month Initiative: WIIS Global offered a 15% discount on Professional Plus and Young Professional memberships, welcoming new members into our inclusive and growing global network.
• WIIS Affiliates: WIIS affiliates marked International Women’s Month with events and advocacy advancing the WPS agenda. WIIS Italy highlighted women’s leadership, WIIS Spain engaged in policy discussions and European Parliament events, and WIIS Canada hosted expert dialogues on gender in defense.

These highlights reflect WIIS’s continued commitment to empowering women and fostering a collaborative, diverse community in international peace and security.

EVENT (WIIS GLOBAL MEMBERS ONLY)

WIISUp Wednesday | WIIS Global

Date: April 22nd, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET 

Details: Join WIIS Global for our members-only virtual networking hour.

EVENT (WIIS BRUSSELS MEMBERS ONLY)

Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape | WIIS Brussels

Date: April 8th, 2026 at 6:30 PM CET 

Details: Join WIIS Brussels for a members-only interactive workshop with Rosanna Kurrer, Belgium’s first Cybersecurity Personality of the Year (2021) and co-founder of CyberWayFinder. The session will examine current developments in cybersecurity, the importance of diverse perspectives in the field, and practical pathways for those interested in entering or engaging more deeply with cybersecurity. The event will also include discussion and Q&A with fellow members.

OPPORTUNITY (WIIS GLOBAL MEMBERS ONLY)

Publish with WIIS

Details: WIIS Global invites members to submit original research and insights on gender, peace, and security.

Publication options include:

• Policy Briefs (evidence-based papers with policy recommendations)
• Perspectives (short blog insights)
• New Voices (student contributions
• Occasional Papers (in-depth research)

Key requirements:

• Original, unpublished work
• Strong academic integrity and proper citation
• Follows The Chicago Manual of Style

Submissions are open to WIIS Global members only.

PODCAST

Bylines & Frontlines Podcast | WIIS Canada 

Details: In WIIS Canada's latest Bylines & Frontlines Episode, Frieda Garcia Castellanos speaks with Dr. Linna Tam-Seto, Emma Moon (DND), and LTC Melanie Lake (NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives) about Canada’s work to improve survivability and performance for women in uniform, including support to Ukraine. 

Connecting Across Borders | WIIS Global & WIIS Spain

Details: WIIS Spain met with WIIS Global in Washington, D.C. for a productive exchange focused on strengthening collaboration and engagement across the WIIS network. The meeting, held at the Elliott School of International Affairs, brought together representatives to discuss ongoing initiatives, share insights, and explore opportunities for future cooperation. 

From Goods to Money: The Financial Architecture of Illicit Trade | WIIS Global 

Details: WIIS Global's Programs & Partnerships Director Dr. Layla Hashemi was invited to speak at the OECD’s Countering Illicit Trade Conference on a panel titled "From Goods to Money: The Financial Architecture of Illicit Trade" where she discussed her work mapping global ecosystems of illicit trade on the Hubs of Illicit Trade (HIT) project.

Australia's Approach to a Changing Security Environment | WIIS Australia 

Details: On March 3rd, WIIS Australia, Deakin University's Centre for Future Defense and National Security, and the Australian War College held an International Women's Day event in Canberra, which was attended by over 80 guests. 

WIIS Australia’s Deputy President Shannon Zimmerman moderated the discussion, and panelists such as former Ambassador Jane Marie Hardy, Assistant Commissioner Sandra Booth, Niki Strachan, and Kylie Rendina shared their insights. The conversation covered an expansive range of topics including AI, the conflict in Iran, the challenges of securing Australia's borders, and organized crime.

WIIS Poland at CSW70: Advancing Women’s Leadership in Global Security | WIIS Poland 

Details: Kornela Oblińska, PhD, Program Director of WIIS Poland at the University of Warsaw, participated in CSW70, held at UN Headquarters in New York from 8–13 March 2026.

As part of the official program, Dr. Oblińska contributed to discussions on women’s participation in peace, security, and governance, including to a panel co-organized by Poland, Ukraine, and ODIHR. The session highlighted the importance of women’s meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes, particularly in contexts of conflict, recovery, and long-term stability.

CSW70 served as a key platform for dialogue, partnership-building, and advancing gender equality within global security discussions.

Allyship & Supporting Women in Security & Defense | WIIS UK

Details: WIIS UK hosted an evening of engaging conversation, meaningful exchange, and community building across the security and defense sector.

The event brought together professionals from across the field to reflect on the importance of advancing gender equity in international security, particularly at a time when progress faces increasing global challenges. The discussions fostered dialogue, connection, and shared commitment to supporting inclusive leadership within the sector.

WIIS UK extends its sincere thanks to Dani Prieto, the RUSI NextGen Programme, and Airbus for their valued support in organizing this event.

Advancing Women in International Security | WIIS Chile

Details: On March 26th, WIIS Chile, in collaboration with the Universidad Alberto Hurtado, hosted the discussion “Women in International Security,” featuring two distinguished experts, Lucia Dammert and Devanna De La Puente.

The event provided an important platform to examine global security challenges and highlight the strategic role of women in decision-making. WIIS Chile extends its sincere appreciation to the speakers for sharing their expertise, experiences, and perspectives.

Leadership and Representation in International Relations: Building on Women’s Legacy | WIIS UK

Details: On March 31st, WIIS UK, in collaboration with Chatham House and LSE IDEAS, hosted a hybrid event titled “Leadership and Representation in International Relations: Building on Women’s Legacy.”

Held at Chatham House in London, the event marked Women’s History Month by reflecting on the significant contributions of women to international relations and diplomacy, while exploring how today’s professionals can build on this legacy.

The panel brought together practitioners and experts to discuss career pathways, representation, and allyship in international affairs. Conversations also focused on advancing gender equity across the field and supporting the next generation of diplomats, academics, and policy professionals.

The session concluded with a networking opportunity, fostering dialogue and connection among participants committed to inclusive leadership in global affairs.