Routledge Handbook of Women, Peace, and Security

This handbook examines the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in the context of a rapidly evolving global security landscape.

Shifting away from ‘hard security’ models, this book demonstrates how gender-inclusive governance predicts state stability. Providing a truly global scope, with insights from nearly fifty countries, the work bridges theory and practice, showing that gender-responsive approaches are fundamental to security sector development, democratic institution-building, and navigating state fragility. Beyond traditional frameworks, the handbook addresses emerging challenges such as tech-facilitated online violence, AI, and climate change. It also offers critical analysis of the erosion of international human rights, highlighting the implications for national security and the protection of civilians. A core focus remains the integration of gender perspectives within military operations and security sector reform. The volume evaluates both international peacebuilding and military interventions, examining the practical complexities of operationalizing WPS in active conflict. Notably, the volume rejects gendered tropes to examine the full spectrum of women’s agency—from institutional leaders and grassroots organizers to participants in political violence as insurgents and terrorists. By exploring these multifaceted realities, the volume reflects the true complexity of women’s influence in global peace and conflict.

Prepared with defense and security practitioners in mind, this compendium of new knowledge will be useful for students of conflict and peace studies, security studies, defense studies, gender studies and International Relations.