Hard-won progress in women's rights is dismantled — and it threatens global security

Rising authoritarianism, splintering alliances and an organised backlash against women's rights, gender equality and international development are threatening progress towards justice and equality. Can the United Nations' women, peace, and security agenda still help ensure stable international relations? Does it need to be modernised? Feminist Answers in a Dangerous World: Gender, Peace and Security in a Precarious Geopolitics — the 2026 Pamela Denoon Lecture was presented by National Foundation for Australian Women and the Gender Institute at the ANU. Speakers Caroline Millar Former Australian Ambassador to the European Union, NATO, Belgium and Luxembourg; former Deputy Secretary for National Security, in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Dr Elise Stephenson Deputy Director at the Global Institute for Women's leadership at the ANU Asha Clementi Principal of the Persephone Network, 2022 ACT Young Women of the Year