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Cristal Downing

@cristaldowning.bsky.social
330 followers 100 following 35 posts

Project Director, Gender & Conflict @crisisgroup Former @UNUCPR, @UKUN_NewYork, @UNMigration | PhD @warstudies | Views my own

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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Progress on women’s representation in peacemaking is being reversed. Some govs still prioritise women’s representation in high-profile contexts, but the commitment is inconsistent across wider peacemaking. My op-ed in @Time on why this matters to us all. time.com/article/2026...
time.com
What Peacemaking Loses When Women Are Left Out
"Women hold communities together through wars but they are increasingly being left out of peace talks," writes Cristal Downing.
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
The expanded Mexico City policy is yet another US "effort to circumvent negotiation processes and agreed standards" on gender equality at the UN. I spoke yesterday with @elissamio.bsky.social & experts on the policy's implications for the UN. Video & write-up here: www.devex.com/news/an-enti...
devex.com
‘An entirely new animal’: A look inside the new Mexico City Policy
The Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance policy now extends far beyond abortion and is set to reshape how organizations receive U.S. funding in countries across the world.
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
As the UN ploughs towards merging @unwomen.bsky.social & @unfpa.org there are concerns about whether combining entities will benefit UN gender work and whether adequate thought is given to how and why a merger should happen. I shared thoughts w/ @passblue.bsky.social passblue.com/2026/04/08/m...
passblue.com
Merging of UN Gender Entities Moves Ahead Despite Doubts and Risks - PassBlue
Merging of UN Gender Entities Moves Ahead Despite Doubts and Risks - PassBlue
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
The CSW drama has extended past its intended shelf life (at least one member state just keeps coming back for more). I talked to @pass_blue about why. passblue.com/2026/03/19/w...
passblue.com
Washington Fails Once Again to Redefine 'Gender' at UN Gathering - PassBlue
Washington Fails Once Again to Redefine 'Gender' at UN Gathering - PassBlue
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
The US recently introduced a policy that not only aims to force the UN's gender equality work to fit the US mold, but also unilaterally circumvents standards that have been agreed in the UNSC and GA. In this Q&A, I explain how these conditions could look in practice.
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Reposted by Cristal Downing
Crisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 11/03/2026
NEW Q&A | New U.S. Aid Conditions Threaten UN Work on Women, Peace and Security The Trump administration is imposing conditions on U.S. aid that could have profound effects on women and girls. @cristaldowning.bsky.social explains the potential fallout. www.crisisgroup.org/qna/global-u...
crisisgroup.org
New U.S. Aid Conditions Threaten UN Work on Women, Peace and Security | International Crisis Group
The Trump administration is imposing conditions on U.S. international aid that could have profound effects on programs serving women and girls in conflict. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Cristal Dow...
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
To complement @EroComfort top reads for #IWD2026 - here are mine. One on toddlers, the other on AI. The common thread between them: a data-driven approach to understanding terrifying things that are developing far too fast and without regulation. @profemilyoster.bsky.social @crisisgroup.org
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
I was grateful to discuss challenges currently facing gender equality in conflict at the @bmeia.gv.at WPS conference last week. I highlighted the need to tie short-term conflict termination to longer term peacebuilding to ensure women's contributions to stable peace don't fall by the wayside.
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Crisis Group Latinoamérica @latam.crisisgroup.org · 17/02/2026
MAÑANA | Conflicto y personas LGBTQI+ en Colombia 📅 18 de Febrero ⏰ 9:30 Bogotá | 9:30 Nueva York | 15:30 Bruselas Con @cristaldowning.bsky.social, Arlene Tickner, Juanita Vélez, Wilson Castañeda y @renatasegura.bsky.social Regístrate acá 🔽 us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Mis co-panelistas en este evento mañana presentarán sus perspectivas sobre cómo el conflicto en Colombia afecta a la población LGBTQI+, sus roles en la construcción de la paz y la importancia de la protección que les debería ofrecer el estado. Registrate: www.crisisgroup.org/node/27145
crisisgroup.org
Conflicto y personas LGBTQI+ en Colombia | International Crisis Group
9:30 Bogotá | 9:30 Nueva York | 15:30 Bruselas Regístrese acá si desea participar en el evento.
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Crisis Group Latinoamérica @latam.crisisgroup.org · 09/02/2026
EVENTO EN LÍNEA | Conflicto y personas LGBTQI+ en Colombia 📅 18 de Febrero ⏰ 9:30 Bogotá | 9:30 Nueva York | 15:30 Bruselas Con @cristaldowning.bsky.social, Arlene Tickner, Wilson Castañeda, Juanita Vélez y @renatasegura.bsky.social Regístrate acá: www.crisisgroup.org/node/27145
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
The new US “human flourishing policy” claims to seek better use of taxpayer $ & less meddling w/ nations’ sovereignty. It will do the opposite, forcing other govs, NGOs & @UN to align their programming with US anti-equality posture. I spoke to @Reuters about its possible impact.
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Me alegra mucho poder compartir la info de este evento basado en nuestra reciente publicación sobre violencia contra personas LGBTQI+ en el marco del conflicto en Colombia.
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Entre la fragmentación del conflicto colombiano, los grupos armados han intensificado sus esfuerzos de control territorial. Este informe analiza las implicaciones para la seguridad de las personas LGBTQI+ y ofrece recs. sobre protección, rendición de cuentas y prevención 🧵 shorturl.at/rWIsc
crisisgroup.org
Explotando los prejuicios: Personas LGBTQI+ y grupos armados en Colombia | International Crisis Group
El conflicto en Colombia se ha caracterizado durante mucho tiempo por los ataques contra grupos vulnerables, entre ellos, las personas LGBTQI+. Mientras el gobierno sigue adelante con su política de “...
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
In Colombia’s conflict, armed groups have upped efforts to entrench community control. Marginalised groups inc. LGBTQI+ people pay the price. This briefing shows what this means for LGBTQI+ safety & makes recs. on protection, accountability & prevention🧵https://shorturl.at/2COxw
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
@UnitedNations WPS month is underway. Here are some thoughts on the challenges the WPS agenda is facing (spoiler: gender equality is under attack) and how countries can and must use this month to defend women’s rights. passblue.com/2025/10/05/t...
passblue.com
The WPS Agenda Needs Strong Wills to Counter Rough Headwinds - PassBlue
The WPS Agenda Needs Strong Wills to Counter Rough Headwinds - PassBlue
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Reposted by Cristal Downing
Crisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 26/09/2025
Our highlights at #UNGA2025 so far. 🇺🇸 Trump’s fiery speech 🇵🇸 Gaza: UK, France and others recognise Palestine; Israel responds. 🇸🇾 Syria: President Al Sharaa addresses the General Assembly 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Trump & Zelenskyy’s most positive meeting yet. @mayaungar.bsky.social explains more. ⬇️
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Some beautiful and haunting photos here of people and communities affected by conflict, taken during Crisis Group fieldwork around the world over the last few years. www.crisisgroup.org/global/life-...
crisisgroup.org
Life on the Edge: Everyday Realities in a Conflict-torn World | International Crisis Group
A photo exhibition held at the European External Action Service (EEAS) marks Crisis Group’s 30th anniversary, and showcases photographs taken by its staff while conducting field research in conflict-a...
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Shutting down the Internet amounts to shutting off a window to the world. Internet access was key in efforts to continue education for at least some Afghan women & girls. It was also central to livelihoods like selling handicrafts and clothes online. thediplomat.com/2025/09/inte...
thediplomat.com
Internet Shutdown in Afghanistan Threatens Women’s Education and Media Freedom
The Taliban restrict local media, and now also the internet, while leveraging the same platforms to spread their own messages.
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
US aid cuts have reduced global access to sexual & reproductive health. Take Afghanistan, where women are dying in labour after clinics close. As medical supplies are destroyed & aid cuts continue, efforts to reduce women's access to care are increasing. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
BBC investigates Afghan maternal deaths after US aid cuts
The BBC hears devastating accounts of Afghan mothers and babies dying after US-backed clinics shut.
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
As we highlighted in the below UN-focused piece, UN agencies and NGOs offered to buy these contraceptives to serve life-saving purposes. But no, not on this admin’s watch. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/h...
nytimes.com
$10 Million in Contraceptives Have Been Destroyed on Orders From Trump Officials
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Amid global pushback against gender equality, some topics are more unequal than others. Sexual & reproductive health is one. Here’s our take on what that means for @UN work for women & girls in war, among other challenges the org will face in 2025-26. www.crisisgroup.org/global/sb13-...
crisisgroup.org
Ten Challenges for the UN in 2025-2026 | International Crisis Group
As the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly at the UN approaches, the organisation faces severe political and financial challenges. But it can still use sanctions, peace operations and ai...
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Great timing from Denmark - new National Action Plan. Glad to see that not everyone has completely lost the plot on WPS. um.dk/en/foreign-p...
um.dk
Women, peace and security
In 2025, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). This groundbreaking resolution not only spoke of women...
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
For #IWD2025 @comfortero.crisisgroup.org shared this list of Crisis Group & external publications that explore some of the ways that gender & conflict interact, from India to Haiti, and from seats in parliament to artificial intelligence. www.crisisgroup.org/global/comfo...
crisisgroup.org
Comfort Ero’s 2025 Top Picks on Gender and Conflict | Crisis Group
For International Women’s Day, Crisis Group’s President and CEO, Comfort Ero, shares a list of her top ten publications on how conflict and gender intersect including the impacts of violence on people...
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Wondering what @crisisgroup.org's work on gender & conflict looks like? Wonder no more. We've visualised it in this (might I say very impressive) map, complete with interactive timeline and links to publications. www.crisisgroup.org/global/crisi...
crisisgroup.org
Crisis Group's Research on Gender and Conflict | Crisis Group
Over three decades, Crisis Group has built up a wide body of work on gender and conflict – evolving from a 2003 piece on women and reconstruction in Afghanistan to the range of publications covering m...
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
In @justsecurity.org ahead of #IWD2025 I highlight how the Mexico City policy (also known as the global gag rule) impacts women & girls in conflict even beyond the damage done by recent aid cuts. Past experience shows that this restriction reduces access to essential health care.
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Cristal Downing @cristaldowning.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
US aid cuts are having drastic effects in war. Funding for gender equality has been singled out as misaligned with the US administration's values. Within this, sexual & reproductive health is particularly at risk. With it, so are women & girls in conflict. www.crisisgroup.org/global-unite...
crisisgroup.org
Amid Aid Cuts, A Renewed U.S. Policy Increases Health Risks for Women and Girls in Conflict Areas | Crisis Group
While the Trump administration is gutting U.S. foreign aid across the board, programs aimed at women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health will be among those hardest hit. Crisis Group expert Cris...
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Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
"We are in the middle of a very violent decade." @comfortero.bsky.social in @economist.com. www.economist.com/the-world-ah...
economist.com
Comfort Ero offers three lessons for peacemaking in an unstable world
Global conflict is rising, but do not give up on peacemaking, argues Comfort Ero, president of International Crisis Group in The World Ahead 2025
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Olya Oliker aka Dr. Olga Oliker (she/her) @olyaoliker.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
If you'd like to follow my @crisisgroup.org colleagues here on BlueSky, here's a lovely starter pack prepared by @paulfranz.bsky.social
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