Experts from our Law School have been assigned a unique role, as a leading partner of The Women Peace and Security (WPS) Helpdesk.
Durham is the sole academic partner of The WPS Helpdesk, providing flexible, responsive and easy-to-use technical research, advice and support on women, peace and security in conflict and crisis contexts.
The WPS Helpdesk offers expert services to the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and UK Government, with a global remit.
As academic partner, at any time our law experts can be called on to undertake desk-based research and report on a particular area or topic relating to gender and conflict.
It exists as a partnership between five organisations led by Saferworld bringing together Conciliation Resources (CR), Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS UK), Women’s International Peace Centre (WIPC), and Durham’s Law School.
As part of a recently published report, Professor Catherine O’Rourke, Fiona MacGregor and PhD student, Naw Anthea, were tasked to research and report on conflict-related sexual violence in Myanmar, South-East Asia.
Their remit was to explore the barriers to and prospects for accessing international justice and share their findings and recommendations to the UK Embassy in Myanmar.
The report details a series of recommendations for supporting both local documentation and international accountability efforts for conflict-related sexual violence.
Image credit: WPS Helpdesk