Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

What Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security does

Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) is a non-profit academic research institute housed within Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Washington D.C., founded in 2011. The institute produces evidence-based research, policy analysis, and convenings to advance women's leadership in peace and security. Its core analytical products include the WPS Index (ranking 177 countries on women's inclusion, justice, and security), the WPS Conflict Tracker (monthly monitoring of 25 conflict-affected countries), and the WPS Survey (perspectives from nearly 3,000 women peacebuilders in 121 countries). Recent outputs include policy papers on women's water security in the MENA region, a joint Ukraine WPS implementation report, a Belarus political prisoners report, and recommendations for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

GIWPS operates a non-commercial distribution model: all research, indices, and reports are published open-access on its website, and webinars and events are free to attend. The institute is funded through institutional grants and donations rather than product or service revenue, and it does not disclose financial figures. Its customer base consists of government policymakers (foreign affairs, defense, water/environment ministries), international organizations and NGOs, women peacebuilders and civil society, and academic researchers/students. The organization maintains active convening partnerships with the UK FCDO, Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, IWMI, IUCN, AMCOW, the World Bank, New Lines Institute, and Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association 'Jurfem.'

Leadership is led by Melanne Verveer (Founding Executive Director; former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues) and Kim Hart (Director of Policy and Programs), supported by policy associates and fellows focused on MENA, climate security, and Ukraine. With 1-10 employees, GIWPS functions as a lean policy-research center whose influence derives from proprietary datasets, the convening power of its leadership network, and its affiliation with Georgetown University. The institute does not develop commercial technology products and shows no evidence of AI/ML capability in its operations or product stack.

Name

Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Legal name

Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Website

https://giwps.georgetown.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security is a non-profit research institute within Georgetown University that produces evidence-based policy analysis, the WPS Index covering 177 countries, and convenings on women's leadership in peace and security for governments, multilaterals, and civil society.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GIWPS is an academic research institute that produces evidence-based research, policy analysis, and data tools (WPS Index, Conflict Tracker, Survey) on the role of women in peace, security, climate, and conflict contexts. It convenes policymakers, publishes policy briefs and reports, and administers awards and certificate programs to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Product overview

The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) is a research institute at Georgetown University that produces policy-focused research, indices, and educational programs to advance women's leadership in peace and security. Its core offerings include the WPS Index (which ranks 177 countries on women's inclusion, justice, and security), the WPS Conflict Tracker (monitoring 25 countries), and the WPS Survey (a global survey of women peacebuilders). The institute also publishes specialized policy reports on topics including water security, conflict-related sexual violence, and climate security. GIWPS administers two award programs—the Hillary Rodham Clinton Award and the Trailblazer Award—and offers a Gender, Peace and Security Certificate Program. The institute convenes events including webinars and panel discussions on WPS themes, and produces policy recommendations for international forums such as the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WPS Index: Global Women, Peace and Security Index that scores and ranks 177 countries in terms of women's inclusion, justice, and security.
• WPS Conflict Tracker
• WPS Survey
• Hillary Rodham Clinton Award
• Trailblazer Award

Products and services

• Women, Peace and Security Index (WPS Index) A comprehensive index that scores and ranks 177 countries in terms of women's inclusion, justice, and security, providing data-driven insights for governments, researchers, and policy practitioners.
• WPS Conflict Tracker A monitoring tool that tracks and analyzes global armed conflict through a Women, Peace and Security lens, updated monthly, covering 25 countries at different stages of conflict.
• Women, Peace and Security Survey A global survey of nearly 3,000 women in 121 countries providing perspectives of women peacebuilders on their influence, challenges, and roles in peace and security efforts.
• Hillary Rodham Clinton Award An annual award recognizing women leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing peace and security through women's empowerment and leadership.
• Trailblazer Award An award honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
• Gender, Peace and Security Certificate Program An academic certificate program offered in partnership with Georgetown University providing specialized education in gender, peace, and security studies.
• Beyond Security: A Plan for Women's Water Security Policy and Governance in the Middle East A policy paper examining the intersection of gender, water security, climate, and peacebuilding in the MENA region, with recommendations for governance reform and inclusive financing.
• Strong at the Broken Places: Women Political Prisoners in Belarus A research report documenting acute violations faced by women political prisoners in Belarus and honoring their resilience as agents of democratic change.
• Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Lessons Learned from Ukraine A joint report exploring what Ukraine's experience can teach policymakers about implementing the WPS agenda during conflict.
• Recommendations for Strengthening Water Security, Peace, and Gender Inclusion Ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference A policy paper summarizing key insights and recommendations for strengthening water security through a Women, Peace and Security lens ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Quantifiable outcome

• WPS Index covers 177 countries in terms of women's inclusion, justice, and security
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Partnered with GIWPS to host the webinar on Women's Water Security in the Middle East on May 28, 2026. FCDO's MENA ECE Deputy Team Lead and FCAS Climate Adviser participated as a keynote speaker. FCDO also funds programs like Al Murunah referenced in GIWPS research.
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Partnered with GIWPS for the May 28, 2026 webinar on Women's Water Security. IWMI implements the Al Murunah and Al Murunah+ projects across Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Palestine—climate adaptation initiatives focused on nature-based water solutions and gender-transformative programming that GIWPS research analyzes and references.
• Social Development Direct (SDDirect)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Partnered with GIWPS for the May 28, 2026 webinar. SDDirect's Head of MEL and Research Portfolio presented baseline evaluation findings from the Al Murunah+ project in Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine, linking gender equity with household and climate resilience outcomes.
• Ministry for Foreign Affairs of FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Co-hosted the high-level virtual panel 'Water, Women, and Security: Preventing Conflict in an Era of Climate Stress' on May 12, 2026, bringing together senior policymakers, water diplomats, and women civil society leaders to discuss integrating WPS principles into water policy and diplomacy.
• GlobeCare FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Co-hosted the 'Water, Women, and Security' event on May 12, 2026, contributing to discussions on water security, climate stress, and women peacebuilders' roles in transboundary water governance.
• Women in Water Diplomacy NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Co-hosted the 'Water, Women, and Security' event. The Network offers innovative exchange-based water diplomacy workshops bringing decision makers from shared river basins together, creating informal environments that build trust and peer-to-peer exchange around water cooperation.
• African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Co-hosted the 'Water, Women, and Security' event, bringing expertise on African water governance and supporting recommendations for gender integration in continental water cooperation frameworks.
• New Lines InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIWPS collaborated with New Lines Institute and Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association 'Jurfem' to produce the joint report 'Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Lessons Learned from Ukraine' published June 2026.
• Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association 'Jurfem'coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced the report on WPS implementation in Ukraine, providing on-the-ground expertise on Ukrainian women's roles in peace and security during the ongoing conflict.
• Sasakawa Peace FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIWPS and Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) launched the joint report 'Building Women's Coalitions for Peace and Security: Strategies, Tactics, and Lessons Learned,' addressing how women's coalitions strengthen peace and security outcomes amid shrinking civic space.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUCN is a partner in the Al Murunah project implemented by IWMI, focused on nature-based water solutions in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. GIWPS research references this partnership in its water security analysis.
• International Rescue CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIWPS's Al Murunah+ analysis references the International Rescue Committee's EA$E (Economic and Social Empowerment) model, which forms the basis for the couples curriculum integrated into the gender-transformative component of the water security project.
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIWPS research references the World Bank's Water Forward initiative as a key framework for integrated, climate-resilient water solutions. The Institute's recommendations call for MDBs including the World Bank to integrate gender equality and WPS principles into water financing frameworks.
• Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced as an external reviewer of GIWPS's water security policy paper, contributing regional and technical expertise from the UAE context.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Peace Direct: International NGO supporting local peacebuilders and amplifying women's roles in peace processes. Comparable to GIWPS in its WPS focus and convening function, with a more operational and grassroots-oriented model.
• Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO): Independent peace and conflict research institute producing data-driven analysis on armed conflict, peace processes, and gender. Highly comparable to GIWPS in its focus on rigorous research products and convening around peace and security, with a similar non-profit academic footprint.
• Saferworld: Independent international peacebuilding organization working on conflict prevention, gender equality, and inclusive peace processes. Overlaps with GIWPS's peace and security research and policy advocacy orientation, with a programmatic rather than purely academic footing.
• International Alert: Peacebuilding NGO working on the links between security, development, and gender. Directly comparable to GIWPS in producing research and policy recommendations on women, peace, and security, with a longer programmatic track record in conflict-affected countries.
• United States Institute of Peace (USIP): US-based congressionally funded institute producing research, analysis, and convening on conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Directly comparable to GIWPS as a peace and security research/policy institute with global reach, though larger in scale and broader in mandate than GIWPS's women-focused agenda.
• Inclusive Security: Mission-driven organization dedicated to advancing the role of women in peace and security processes globally. Directly comparable as a WPS-focused institution working on women's participation in peace processes, with overlapping theory of change and partner networks.
• Women's Refugee Commission: Research and advocacy organization focused on the rights and well-being of women and children displaced by conflict and crisis. Comparable to GIWPS in producing actionable research on gender in conflict-affected contexts and engaging with governments and multilateral bodies.

Broad incumbents

• International Crisis Group: Major conflict analysis and policy organization producing field-based research and advocacy on armed conflicts worldwide. Comparable to GIWPS in its conflict-monitoring and policy engagement function, but with a broader mandate and global field presence.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Established global think tank producing research and policy analysis on international peace and security. Comparable to GIWPS in producing high-quality research and convening at the policy level, with a much broader portfolio and significantly larger institutional footprint.
• Chatham House: Major international affairs think tank producing independent research and convening on global policy issues. Highly comparable as a research-and-convening model, though with a broader international affairs remit and significantly larger scale than GIWPS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/giwps
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@georgetowninstituteforwome774
• Facebookfacebook.com/GIWPS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/georgetown-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security