On Thursday, October 29, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, US Southern Command, essay contributors, and partner institutions throughout the region celebrated the publication of an edited collection of essays, “Twenty Years, Twenty Stories: Women, Peace, and Security in the Western Hemisphere.” The essays address the inclusion of women in WPS across mission areas, including cyber, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The publication commemorates the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

Ambassador Jean Manes, SOUTHCOM Civilian Deputy to the Commander and Foreign Policy Advisor, and regional contributors Martha Janneth Davila (Colombia), Patricia Baranda (Mexico), and Lourdes Barriga (Peru) reflected on the trajectory of successes and challenges of women in security and defense in the Western Hemisphere. They noted increased visibility and opportunity for women in security establishments throughout the hemisphere and the need for education and cultural shifts to increase women’s inclusion in national security. Dr. Fabiana Perera and Lt Col Duilia Turner served as moderators.