What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Women In International Security

Home
United States
Washington D.C., DC
Women In International Security

Since the founding of WIIS in 1987, women have advanced to increasingly important roles in the field of international security.

Women In International Security (WIIS) is the only global network actively advancing women’s leadership, at all stages of their careers, in the international peace and security field. There are new and expanding opportunities for women’s participation globally, as women are present in greater numbers in foreign and defense affairs and now occupy important positions in governments around the world.

In recent years, the international community has recognized the important contributions of women to peace and security, and has made commitments to include women in peace and security decision-making at all levels. But equal representation of women is not yet a reality, especially at senior levels of policy making. The number of women obtaining degrees in international affairs-related programs is increasing, and in many organizations that work on peace and security issues, women make up almost half of the entry level professional workforce. Yet, in the majority of security policy making institutions, women comprise less than 30 percent of senior leadership positions. Entry into the profession is not necessarily translating into advancement into leadership positions in key peace and security institutions. The lack of female representation in decision-making positions means that the international community is missing the diversity of expertise and perspectives that are desperately needed in this field. WIIS recognizes that all women do not share the same opinions about how to address the world’s security problems. But women often share common experiences and challenges as women, and they often share common, valuable approaches to leadership roles. WIIS’ research demonstrates that women in these positions of authority often share consultative, inclusive, and collaborative leadership styles. The contributions that women have made and could potentially make to international peace and security are just beginning to be recognized. WIIS is working to ensure that recognition translates into leadership opportunities for women around the world.

08/20/2026

✍️NEW WIIS MEMBER PUBLICATION: WIIS is pleased to share a "New Voices" publication, "Women in Cybersecurity: Strengthening Global Security Policy and Governance," by WIIS Global member Ayushi Chaudhary.

Cybersecurity has become a central pillar of global security, yet cyber governance remains structurally gender imbalanced. Women continue to comprise only about one-quarter of the global cybersecurity workforce despite an estimated global workforce shortage of nearly five million professionals. This underrepresentation creates a governance gap that limits institutional resilience, reduces analytical diversity, and weakens the ability of governments and organizations to respond effectively to increasingly sophisticated and interconnected cyber threats. Drawing on examples from the United States, the European Union, and women-led cybersecurity initiatives in developing regions, this publication demonstrates how greater inclusion in cybersecurity leadership strengthens risk management, improves cross-sector coordination, and enhances long-term resilience. It concludes with policy recommendations focused on institutional reform, workforce development, and expanding women's participation in national and international cyber governance.

Read the full piece here: https://wiisglobal.org/resource_library/women-in-cybersecurity-strengthening-global-security-policy-and-governance/

08/19/2026

On this World Humanitarian Day, WIIS recognizes the importance of upholding humanitarian principles and international law in conflict and crises situations. Especially as emerging technologies like drones and AI complicate the landscape of armed conflict and war, the protection of civilians, aid workers, and communities must remain at the center of our peace and security approaches.

08/18/2026

Join us for a special virtual networking hour with WIIS President & CEO, Dr. Lauren Van Metre, on August 26th at 12pm ET.

Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge across her work in the international peace, security, and democracy fields. We look forward to an open and informal Q&A session!

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9vDdQisSSei6iLBkpbTf6g #/registration

🌟This is our members-only virtual networking hour. Not a WIIS member yet? Join today at https://wiisglobal.org/become-a-member/

08/17/2026

WIIS is pleased to share a new research article by WIIS Distinguished Global Fellow Dr. Louise Shelly, WIIS Director of Programs & Partnerships Dr. Layla Hashemi, and Dr. Edward Huang.

Published in the Journal of Illicit Trade, Financial Crime, and Compliance, the authors explore the public health and security impacts of illicit online pharmacies (IOPs) and counterfeit medicines, which surged after the COVID-19 pandemic. Research examining hundreds of IOPs found cryptocurrency to be their predominant payment method, highlighting potential links to financial crime. Tackling this growing form of illicit trade, therefore, requires greater awareness and action across the financial sector.

Read the full article today: https://jitfccjournal.com/index.php/jitfcc/article/view/17

08/12/2026

Join us for a special virtual networking hour with WIIS President & CEO, Dr. Lauren Van Metre on August 26th at 12pm ET.

Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge across her experiences in the international peace, security, and democracy fields. We look forward to an open and informal Q&A session!

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9vDdQisSSei6iLBkpbTf6g #/registration

🌟This is our members-only virtual networking hour. Not a WIIS member yet? Join today at https://wiisglobal.org/become-a-member/

08/11/2026

📢: Calling All WIIS Members! Make the most of your membership by accessing exclusive discounts on courses, books, and coaching sessions—all designed to help you strengthen your professional toolkit and advance your career.

1. WIIS Global members can now participate in the Global Strategic Leadership Institute's Certificate in Women, Peace, and Security at a 30% discount! The certificate is a professional development program designed to equip participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and strategic leadership competencies required to advance the global WPS agenda.

2. WIIS is pleased to offer a 10% book discount on Gender Equality and Climate Security: the Athenian Edge, the latest book by climate and social impact expert, Natasha Garcha. Drawing on original data analytics, the book establishes gender equality as the greatest predictor of climate resilience and interstate peace, and explores the gender–climate–peace nexus through an innovative framework that transforms gender equality into an operational strategy for sustainable peace and climate resilience. Moving from diagnosis to action, the book offers a suite of policy and capital solutions anchored in a gender-transformative approach.

3. WIIS has partnered with the Women's Impact Alliance to offer dedicated discounted scholarship slots for the Empowered Leader Program. The program offers whole-person executive coaching and leadership development designed to help women leaders lead with greater clarity, confidence, resilience, and purpose. Through one-on-one coaching with certified executive coaches, peer learning spaces, and a global community of women changemakers, the Empowered Leader Program brings together women leaders from around the world who are driving social and systems change across sectors. Applications close this Friday, August 14th.

WIIS Global members can access the full details of these opportunity, including the discount codes, through their Member Portal > Member Resources > Discounts & Offers.

Not a member yet? Join WIIS Global today at this link: https://wiisglobal.org/membership/

08/09/2026

On , we honor the knowledge, efforts, and leadership of Indigenous women in peace and security, including Indigenous midwives under this year's spotlight theme. Their practices sustain the health, cultural identity, and community well-being across generations, and their unique perspectives are essential to building more inclusive, sustainable solutions to global challenges.

📚 Resources:

Virtual UN Event, "where speakers will discuss the role of Indigenous midwifery and the importance of its recognition, culturally appropriate approaches to health and well-being, and policy pathways to protect and support Indigenous-led systems of care and knowledge transmission": https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3G0uXrHeSFq51nhZAMqiuQ #/registration

The Evolution of the Indigenous Determinants of Health Framework and the Struggle for Indigenous Midwifery Recognition: https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/evolution-indigenous-determinants-health-framework-and

08/07/2026

On Monday, August 3rd, the WIIS 2026 mentorship cohort closed-out a productive and energizing 5-month long mentorship program. Through meaningful conversations, peer support, and expert guidance, participants gained confidence in navigating their careers, advocating for themselves, and pursuing new opportunities, including publishing their work. The program fostered a strong sense of community, appreciated diverse geographies and contexts, and equipped mentees with the tools and motivation to continue achieving their goals well beyond the cohort's conclusion. We wish our mentees best of luck in their future endeavors!

Our mentorship program runs each spring & summer (March to July) and the next mentorship application cycle will open in early 2027. WIIS Global members are encouraged to fill out either the “Become a Mentor” or “Become a Mentee” form ahead of the next cycle. Both forms can be accessed through the WIIS Member Portal > Mentorship.

08/05/2026

WIIS is pleased to welcome Stephen Katz to our Board of Directors. A Partner at Fox Rothschild, Stephen brings more than 30 years of experience advising businesses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, venture capital, and strategic transactions, offering invaluable private sector expertise and networks to support our mission.

07/22/2026

Join us for WIISUp Wednesday, our member-only virtual networking hour, on July 29th at 12pm ET.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CE37kslQRQG7qr27_LcIzA

🌟Not a WIIS member yet? Join today at https://wiisglobal.org/become-a-member/

Address

1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 700
Washington D.C., DC
20036

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://wiisglobal.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Women In International Security posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Washington D.C.?