IPI builds connections between policymakers and members of civil society to advance feminist principles in multilateral spaces. A major focus of this work has been IPI’s engagement on feminist foreign policies (FFPs). A growing number of states have declared that they have an FFP, but it is not always clear what this means in the context of multilateral institutions like the UN, and these policies are often designed with little input from civil society. IPI has therefore sought to support member states with FFPs to integrate feminist principles into their engagement with civil society and in multilateral spaces.

IPI also works with its network of global partners to strengthen commitments to the WPS agenda. For example, IPI’s annual Women, Peace, and Leadership Symposium in September helps ensure that WPS and gender equality are a focus of discussions during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week. In the face of a growing anti-gender backlash, IPI is also building coalitions of gender equality champions to prevent pushback and continue forging progress.

One barrier to women’s leadership is the risks women leaders often face. IPI research has shown that women’s engagement in peace processes makes peace agreements more likely and more sustainable. However, women involved in political and peacebuilding processes also face heightened risks. IPI has therefore sought to link the participation and protection pillars of the WPS agenda, using research on Northern Ireland and Libya to understand how to ensure the safety of women leaders.