Human Rights | Council on Foreign Relations

Women and Women's Rights

How to Reassign Power in the Humanitarian Sector

This post was authored by Wale Osofisan, senior director, governance technical unit at the International Rescue Committee. When we analyze leadership in the humanitarian sector, we often see image…

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for Women Around the World March 24, 2021 Women Around the World
Women and Women's Rights

Virtual Roundtable: Human Trafficking and Its Sustainable Development Implications

Webinar by James Cockayne and Alex Thier March 23, 2021 Women and Foreign Policy Program
Middle East and North Africa

What Is the Kafala System?

The kafala system regulates the lives of tens of millions of migrant laborers in the Middle East, but growing outrage over human rights abuses, racism, and gender discrimination has fueled calls for reform.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson March 23, 2021

El Salvador

Why Central American Migrants Are Arriving at the U.S. Border

Thousands of people are arriving at the U.S. southern border after fleeing the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. President Biden is reviving efforts to tackle the problems that are prompting them to migrate.

In Brief by Paul J. Angelo March 22, 2021
Americas

More Than a Few Good Women: Improving Hemispheric Security by Advancing Gender Inclusivity in Military and Police

Latin America and the Caribbean remains the most violent region in the world. Overwhelmed police and military forces stand to improve their effectiveness and accountability by unleashing a secret weapon: more female recruits.

Blog Post by Paul J. Angelo and Guest Blogger for Latin America's Moment March 22, 2021 Latin America's Moment
Women and Women's Rights

Women’s Water Insecurity Is a Global Health Crisis

This post was authored by Victoria Parsons (Twitter, LinkedIn), a member of CFR’s Young Professionals Briefing Series and a Founding Partner of Palm Global Consulting, a boutique global affairs firm …

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for Women Around the World March 22, 2021 Women Around the World
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: March 19, 2021

U.S. federal judge halts ban on Xiaomi; U.S. report finds that Russia, Iran attempted to meddle in 2020 election; China blocks Signal; Alleged Russian hackers compromise Polish websites to spread disinformation; and Finland attributes hack of parliament to Chinese threat actor.

Blog Post by Adam Segal March 19, 2021 Net Politics
Women and Women's Rights

Women This Week: New Executive Orders Promoting Gender Equality

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers March 5 to March 12.

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for Women Around the World March 19, 2021 Women Around the World
Human Rights

The New UN Report on Venezuela’s Human Rights Calamity

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michele Bachelet, reported to the Human Rights Council on March 10thon the situation in Venezuela. The full statement can be found here. Her report is ye…

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams March 13, 2021 Pressure Points
Human Rights

The Biden Administration Agenda on Global Women’s Issues

The Joe Biden administration has announced it will establish the first-ever White House Gender Policy Council to coordinate federal efforts to advance gender equity and equality at home and abroad. How will this new Council shape U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy and address the devastating effects of COVID-19 on women and girls globally? Jennifer Klein, the incoming co-chair of the Gender Policy Council, will speak about the administration’s priorities and plans to advance women’s issues around the world.

Virtual Event by Jennifer Klein March 8, 2021 Women and Foreign Policy Program
Democracy

Democracy Is Down, but Not Out

Fewer than 20 percent of the globe’s inhabitants now live in a “free” country today. What might be done to reverse the autocratic tide?

Blog Post by Stewart M. Patrick March 8, 2021 The Internationalist
Women and Women's Rights

Transforming International Affairs Education to Address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A new report by Carla Koppell, Reuben Brigety II, and Jamille Bigio offers a comprehensive approach for international affairs schools to transform the face and shape of U.S. foreign policy.

Blog Post by Jamille Bigio March 8, 2021 Women and Foreign Policy Program
Women and Women's Rights

Women This Week: Women Soldiers in Saudi Arabia

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers February 22 to March 5.

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for Women Around the World March 5, 2021 Women Around the World
China

China Convenes Annual People’s Congress, Pope Francis Travels to Iraq, and More

China’s national legislature and its top political advisory body meet in tandem, Pope Francis travels to Iraq as the country deals with COVID-19 and security concerns, and International Women’s Day is celebrated around the globe.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon March 4, 2021 The World Next Week
Nigeria

Mass Kidnapping in Nigeria Captures International Attention—Again

On February 27, "bandits" attacked the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State and kidnapped some three hundred girls. Government reaction was predictable: search-and-rescue missi…

Blog Post by John Campbell March 3, 2021 Africa in Transition