Where will the conference be held?

The conference will be held in Zarqa, JOR.

What is the primary focus of this conference?

The conference primarily focuses on conflict resolution, gender studies, and violence policy, aiming to explore the intersections of these critical areas.

What is the format of the conference?

The conference is described as an academic gathering, suggesting a format that includes presentations, discussions, and the exchange of research findings.

International Conference on Conflict Resolution, Gender Studies, and Violence Policy

Name: International Conference on Conflict Resolution, Gender Studies, and Violence Policy
Start: 2026-07-22T00:00:00Z
End: 2026-07-22T00:00:00Z
Location: Zarqa

Jul 22, 2026Zarqa, JordanIn-person

Registration open

The International Conference on Conflict Resolution, Gender Studies, and Violence Policy is scheduled to convene in Zarqa, Jordan. This academic gathering aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss multifaceted approaches to understanding and mitigating conflict, with a particular focus on the intersection of gender dynamics and violence. The conference provides a platform for the exchange of ideas, presentation of research findings, and the development of collaborative strategies in these critical fields.

Committees & topics

General Assembly (GA)
General Assembly: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Armed Conflict
Security Council (SC)
Security Council: Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Commission on the Status of Women: Violence Policy and Gender Equality in Crisis Settings
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
International Court of Justice: State Responsibility for Gender-Based Violence and Genocide

Why it matters

This conference is significant because it addresses some of the most pressing global challenges: conflict, gender inequality, and violence. By integrating these themes, it acknowledges that sustainable peace and development cannot be achieved without understanding the complex interplay between them. Gender studies offer crucial insights into how conflicts are experienced differently by various populations and how gendered power structures can perpetuate or alleviate violence.

The discussions at this event will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of conflict resolution, moving beyond traditional state-centric approaches to incorporate human security perspectives. The focus on violence policy underscores the practical application of research, aiming to inform and improve interventions designed to protect vulnerable populations and foster peaceful societies. The insights generated here are vital for international organizations, national governments, and civil society groups working towards a more equitable and secure world.

How to prepare

Delegates preparing for this conference should focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of conflict, gender, and violence. It is advisable to review current research and policy debates on these topics, considering diverse theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence. Participants should be prepared to engage in discussions that challenge conventional approaches and explore innovative solutions.

Familiarity with various conflict resolution methodologies, gender analysis frameworks, and violence prevention strategies will be beneficial. Attendees should also consider the regional context of the conference, given its location in JOR, and how local dynamics might inform broader discussions on conflict and gender. Preparing to contribute actively to the intellectual discourse will maximize the value of participation.

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 3 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Jordan

Host nation with significant experience in regional conflict and humanitarian issues.

Role in topic

As the host country, JOR offers a unique regional perspective on conflict resolution, gender studies, and violence policy. The nation has a history of engaging with refugee crises and regional instability, providing a practical backdrop for discussions on these topics. Its experiences can inform debates on humanitarian responses, peacebuilding, and the impact of conflict on gender dynamics in the Middle East.

United States

Major global actor in conflict resolution and gender equality advocacy.

Role in topic

The USA plays a significant role in international conflict resolution efforts and has been a prominent advocate for gender equality in foreign policy. Its perspective often involves discussions on diplomatic interventions, security sector reform, and funding for programs addressing gender-based violence in conflict zones. Research from the USA frequently contributes to theoretical advancements in gender studies and peacebuilding.

Sweden

Pioneer in feminist foreign policy and gender-sensitive conflict resolution.

Role in topic

SWE is recognized for its pioneering approach to feminist foreign policy, which explicitly integrates gender perspectives into all aspects of its international relations, including conflict resolution. Its contributions to the conference would likely emphasize the importance of women's participation in peace processes, the prevention of sexual violence in conflict, and the promotion of gender equality as a core component of sustainable peace.

Topics & background

The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.

General Assembly (GA)

General Assembly: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Armed Conflict

The General Assembly has long served as the principal deliberative forum for shaping global norms on the protection of civilians, with growing attention since the 1990s to gender-based violence as both a weapon and a consequence of war. The 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action, and successive GA resolutions have framed sexual violence in conflict as a matter of international peace and security, complementing the Security Council's Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda launched by Resolution 1325 (2000). Despite this normative architecture, implementation gaps remain stark: documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence have risen in settings from Sudan and the DRC to Ukraine, Tigray, and Myanmar. The contemporary debate centers on how the GA can reinforce accountability, victim-centered reparations, and prevention strategies without duplicating Council action. Member states are divided over the universality of gender frameworks, with some arguing that cultural and religious specificities should temper international standards, while others push for more robust monitoring, sanctions linkages, and survivor-led transitional justice. Funding shortfalls for UN Women, OHCHR, and the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict further complicate the agenda. Today, the GA's challenge is to translate two decades of declarations into operational policy: integrating gender analysis into peacebuilding, ensuring accountability under the Rome Statute and customary international law, and addressing the structural drivers — displacement, impunity, and economic insecurity — that perpetuate violence against women and girls in conflict zones.

Key players

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Commission on the Status of Women: Violence Policy and Gender Equality in Crisis Settings

Established by ECOSOC in 1946, the Commission on the Status of Women is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. The CSW shaped landmark instruments including CEDAW (1979) and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, whose twelve critical areas of concern remain the touchstone for global gender policy. Annual sessions produce Agreed Conclusions that, while non-binding, set normative direction for member states, UN agencies, and civil society on issues ranging from economic empowerment to violence against women. Violence against women and girls — including domestic violence, femicide, trafficking, online harassment, and conflict-related sexual violence — remains the most persistent challenge on the CSW agenda. UN Women estimates that roughly one in three women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with rates intensifying during crises such as COVID-19, climate displacement, and armed conflict. Negotiations have become increasingly polarized, with a coalition of conservative states pushing back against references to comprehensive sexuality education, SOGI protections, and reproductive rights, while progressive blocs press for stronger language on intersectionality and accountability. The Commission's contemporary work focuses on closing implementation gaps: financing national action plans, strengthening data collection on femicide and digital violence, protecting women human rights defenders, and ensuring that legal frameworks criminalize marital rape and coercive control. The CSW also increasingly engages with the WPS agenda, recognizing the continuum between peacetime and wartime violence.

Key players

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

International Court of Justice: State Responsibility for Gender-Based Violence and Genocide

The International Court of Justice, established under the UN Charter in 1945, adjudicates disputes between states and issues advisory opinions on questions of international law. Although individual criminal responsibility for sexual and gender-based violence falls to the ICC and ad hoc tribunals, the ICJ has become an increasingly important forum for litigating state responsibility under treaties such as the Genocide Convention (1948), CEDAW (1979), and the Convention against Torture. The Court's 2007 Bosnia v. Serbia judgment recognized sexual violence as a constituent act of genocide, and subsequent jurisprudence has reinforced that systematic gender-based violence can trigger obligations of prevention and punishment. Recent and pending cases have brought gender-based violence directly before the Court. The Gambia v. Myanmar proceeding concerns alleged genocide against the Rohingya, including widespread sexual violence; South Africa v. Israel raises questions about acts during the Gaza conflict; Ukraine v. Russia engages the Genocide Convention amid documented patterns of CRSV; and Canada and the Netherlands v. Syria addresses torture, including sexual torture. These cases test the Court's capacity to order provisional measures, assess evidence of mass atrocity, and clarify the threshold between widespread violence and the specific intent required for genocide. The contemporary debate centers on access to justice — particularly the standing of states acting in defense of erga omnes obligations — and on how the Court interprets evidentiary standards for gendered harms that have historically been underreported. Compliance remains a structural challenge, as ICJ rulings depend on Security Council enforcement, which is itself constrained by the veto.

Key players