Comfort Ero’s 2026 Top Picks on Gender & Conflict | Crisis Group

Brussels, Belgium – As International Women’s Day is observed, the International Crisis Group has released a compilation of critical analyses highlighting the intersection of gender and conflict, underscoring the escalating vulnerabilities faced by women and marginalized groups in conflict zones worldwide. Compiled by Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the Crisis Group, the list features ten publications, op-eds, interviews, and podcasts from the past year, offering a sobering assessment of the challenges and potential solutions.

The selections reveal a disturbing trend: despite international commitments to gender equality and women’s inclusion in peace processes, progress remains fragile and is increasingly under threat. Several reports detail how armed groups are deliberately exploiting existing prejudices and inequalities to destabilize communities and exert control, with devastating consequences for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ individuals.

A briefing focused on Colombia, “Exploiting Prejudice: LGBTQI+ People and Armed Groups in Colombia,” highlights the particular dangers faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in the wake of the 2016 peace agreement. The report details how armed outfits exploit the vulnerability of these groups, particularly transgender women, using violence to entrench territorial control. The Crisis Group urges the Colombian state to improve its recording and response to this violence, ensuring effective protection for at-risk communities.

The compilation also addresses the broader regional implications of conflict and displacement. A report examining the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan, “Pakistan-Afghanistan: Tempering the Deportation Drive,” reveals the tensions arising from Islamabad’s mass deportation of Afghan refugees. The report warns that returning refugees to Afghanistan, amidst a severe humanitarian crisis, places them at increased risk, particularly for women and girls facing restrictions imposed by the Taliban.

The challenges to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda are also brought into sharp focus. An op-ed published in PassBlue, “The WPS Agenda Needs Strong Wills to Counter Rough Headwinds,” by Crisis Group’s Gender Project Director Cristal Downing, details the increasing pushback against the WPS agenda in 2025. Downing points to decreased political support from key actors, including the United States, and subsequent aid cuts as factors undermining efforts to address the impact of conflict on women and support their participation in peacemaking.

The impact of conflict on women in Ukraine is another key theme. A Crisis Group podcast, “How Ukraine’s Women Are Meeting the Challenges of War,” explores how the ongoing conflict has amplified gender inequalities, leading to a surge in sexual and gender-based violence. The podcast also highlights the increasing roles women are taking on in traditionally male-dominated fields, including combat positions.

Beyond these specific cases, the compilation addresses broader systemic issues. A briefing on Myanmar, “Fractured Heartland: Shan Politics and Conflict in Post-coup Myanmar,” examines how fragmentation of the political landscape, exacerbated by external actors, is reinforcing inequalities and hindering efforts to achieve lasting peace. The report emphasizes the need for inclusive political solutions that prioritize women’s representation in local governance structures.

The list also includes a report on child recruitment in Colombia, “Kids on the Front Lines: Stopping Child Recruitment in Colombia,” which details the rising trend of armed groups luring children into their ranks with false promises. The report calls for increased efforts to identify and protect at-risk children and to strengthen criminal investigations into perpetrators.

The compilation extends beyond Crisis Group’s own research, including an interview with Crisis Group’s Nigar Göksel on Island Talks, discussing the challenges of integrating gender perspectives into conflict analysis and peacebuilding efforts. It also references a section of Crisis Group’s “Ten Challenges for the UN in 2025-2026,” focusing on the critical need to address sexual and reproductive health needs in conflict settings, particularly in light of aid cuts.

Finally, a report on women-led businesses in Afghanistan, “A Precarious Lifeline? Women-led Business in Afghanistan,” highlights the resilience of Afghan women in the face of severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban. The report calls for easing restrictions on women’s economic activity and increasing donor support for women entrepreneurs.

Taken together, these selections paint a stark picture of the challenges facing women and marginalized groups in conflict zones. They underscore the urgent need for increased international attention, sustained political will, and a commitment to inclusive peace processes that prioritize gender equality and the protection of vulnerable populations. The Crisis Group’s compilation serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates working to build a more just and peaceful world.