Gender and International Security

CSIS's Smart Women, Smart Power Project leads research that uses gender as a lens for better understanding international relations and national security challenges – and discern ways through which the national security, foreign policy and business communities can better advance gender equity in their decision-making structures.

Photo: SIMON MAINA/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: SIMON MAINA/AFP via Getty Images

Power and Parity: Women in African Political Positions

In about 30 years since 1995, the representation of women in parliament has increased from 9.8 percent to 27.1 percent. These gains have come with friction, but to deepen and sustain the advancement of women in political positions, it is important to expand access and opportunity.

Blog Post by Khasai Makhulo — May 28, 2025

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Kathleen Mcinnis

Kathleen McInnis

Director, Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Inside Modern Defense Tech

Erin Biggers on scaling Vannevar Labs' mission to equip U.S. public servants with cutting-edge defense technology.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — June 11, 2025

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Putin's Next Soldiers: Ukrainian Children

Host Kathleen McInnis speaks with Nobel Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk on Russian war crimes against Ukrainian children.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — May 29, 2025

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power

Power and Parity: Women in African Political Positions

In about 30 years since 1995, the representation of women in parliament has increased from 9.8 percent to 27.1 percent. These gains have come with friction, but to deepen and sustain the advancement of women in political positions, it is important to expand access and opportunity.

Blog Post by Khasai Makhulo — May 28, 2025

Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Why We Need Women in Special Forces

Jessica Yahn, executive producer and U.S. Special Operations veteran, joins for a conversation about the human-experience surrounding conflict.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — May 14, 2025

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power

Trust the Work, Trust Yourself

Dr. Kathleen McInnis sits down with Gargee Ghosh, President of Global Policy & Advocacy at the Gates Foundation, for a conversation about her impactful career and her work driving progress in international development.

Event — April 30, 2025

Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Trust the Work, Trust Yourself

Gargee Ghosh, President of Global Policy & Advocacy at the Gates Foundation, joins for a conversation about her impactful career and her work driving progress in international development.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — April 30, 2025

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Whole of Society Resilience Lessons from Russia-Ukraine

Dr. Kathleen McInnis sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Scott Murphy, visiting U.S. Marine Corps military fellow and Iryna Nykorak, Ukrainian Minister of Parliament, and founder of ArmWomenNow, about the importance of resiliency and how to prepare the entirety of society for conflict.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — April 17, 2025

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power

Why the Women, Peace, and Security Act Strengthens U.S. Defense Strategy

The Women, Peace, and Security Act programs implemented by the Department of Defense already comport with Trump administration policy. Put simply, WPS provides the DOD with a toolkit to make the joint force more tactically effective and strategically capable.

Critical Questions by Kathleen McInnis — February 11, 2025