The William J Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies and Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies hosted the Fourth Annual Hemispheric Defense Forum. This year the forum focused on the theme of gender as a defense and security issue in the region. Panels addressed the topic of female participation in the Armed Forces, violence against women and women’s involvement in illicit activity. The Perry Center was proud to welcome panelists from the Inter-American Defense Board, US Southern Command, US Department of State, and Organization of American States. The event was held on March 10 on the campus of JHU SAIS. In addition to in-person attendees, the event welcomed attendees from 21 nations from across the hemisphere.