Dr. Jiyar Aghapouri, Director of AUK’s Center for Peace & Human Security, Co-authors Report on Feminist Innovations for Radical Change

Dr. Jiyar Aghapouri, Director of the Center for Peace & Human Security (CPHS) and Assistant Professor of International Studies at the American University of Kurdistan (AUK), co-authored a significant report with the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) titled “Gender, Justice and Security: Structural Challenges, Feminist Innovations, and Radical Futures.”

This report is the product of nearly five years of collaboration among 150 contributors from 40 partner organizations across 38 global projects, all under the LSE’s Gender, Justice, and Security Hub. It addresses the interwoven structural inequalities—such as patriarchy, capitalism, racism, and militarism—that exacerbate gender injustices, particularly during contemporary crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report is divided into three sections. The first section explores global challenges that obstruct gender justice, emphasizing the need for structural and intersectional analysis in both research and policymaking. The second section offers research insights from seven focus countries, identifying key themes like violence prevention and inclusive peace. Finally, the third section provides recommendations for advancing feminist praxis, focusing on the significance of democratic participation and inclusive policy solutions.

Dr. Aghapouri contributed to the report’s section on gendered dynamics of migration and displacement, focusing on the Kurdistan Region and the Middle East. His work is part of the Migration and Displacement stream, which involved three interrelated projects. These projects collectively analyze the gendered aspects of various forms of displacement and migration across the Middle Eastern countries (including the Kurdistan Region) and South Asia.

1. Gender and Forced Displacement: This project examined how gender inequalities are influenced by forced displacement in countries such as Afghanistan, the Kurdistan Region, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. It highlighted how international discourse on displacement often fails to reflect the realities on the ground. The gap between rhetoric and action perpetuates misunderstandings, overlooking the lived experiences in displacement camps.
2. Return, Reintegration, and Socio-Political Restructuring: This project explored the gendered experiences of return migration to conflict-affected regions like Afghanistan, the Kurdistan Region, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It investigated how these returns impact development, gender equality, justice, and inclusive peace. The study also reviewed return policies and their implications for returnees.
3. Gendered Dynamics of International Labour Migration: This project sought to better understand the gendered aspects of labor migration in cities such as Erbil, Beirut, Islamabad, and Istanbul. While migration studies typically focus on domestic and care work, this project examined the diverse experiences of migrant women. It revealed how socially discriminatory institutions, particularly in countries with the kafala system like Lebanon, affect migrant women.

In the report’s third section, Dr. Aghapouri and his colleagues emphasized the interdisciplinary and transnational approach of the Gender, Justice, and Security Hub. They offered recommendations to policymakers, international NGOs, and local bodies within the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). These recommendations aim to address gendered issues by moving beyond top-down discourses to work with community groups and grassroots organizations.

The report concluded by advocating for structural transformation to tackle the systemic roots of inequality. The report’s recommendations called for a radically inclusive future, underscoring the need for shifts in mindsets, processes, and institutions to achieve gender justice and inclusive peace, particularly for migrants and displaced communities. Additionally, the report proposed cross-country and cross-project analyses, providing targeted suggestions for each focus country. It reinforced the Hub’s commitment to advancing feminist ethical principles and democratic participation, positioning itself as a valuable resource for academics, activists, and policymakers alike.

Through this transformative feminist approach, the report advances the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 (Gender Equality) and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

For a more detailed look at the report, visit the Gender Hub website.