Jane Townsley, our founder,  attended a UNWomen NC UK brunch in London on 9th September where, as a guest speaker she outlined the importance of women’s involvement in post conflict peace building. Both on behalf of Force International and as former President of the International Association of Women Police, (IAWP) Jane has visited many countries promoting the importance of Gender Responsive Policing as part of Security Sector Reform and was able to share this experience as well as describe her research findings on the impact gender responsive policing can have on women officers, police organisations and local communities.

Jane was honoured to share the speaker table with a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda, Marie-Lyse Numuhoza, who now lives in the UK and, through the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, (WILPF), works tirelessly to ensure the voices of Africa women are heard.

The event was very well attended by both academics, pracitioners and those interested in supporting the empowerment of women and a very informative discussion followed the two speakers.