About Us

WIIS NL is based at Leiden University’s campus in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice and the political capital of The Netherlands. We hold monthly meetings and events throughout the Academic year (September – June) at Leiden University and other locations in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Building Public Awareness of Gender and Security:

WIIS NL is primarily focused on raising awareness of the nexus between gender and security, specifically: the women peace and security agenda (WPS Agenda); and gendered insecurities within the Netherlands and Europe. Our awareness-raising activities include public talks, roundtables and discussions on critical international security issues, which include: terrorism, peace and conflict, gender-based violence (GBV), crime, climate change, disaster relief, and development. Explore our events section to see the topics we have covered in the past and what is on the agenda for 2024-25.

Events

Research

WIIS NL is committed to identifying issues for research that are less visible in public debates. Our aim is to augment societal change by bringing attention to aspects of gender and security that may have been missed or neglected. To raise awareness WIIS-NL coordinates research projects and engages with politicians, policymakers, practitioners and the general public within the Netherlands and Europe.

Blogs

Networking

The purpose of WIIS NL is to act as a focal point for women and men interested in gender and security. We organise networking drinks (borrels) and speaker events for practitioners and researchers working in areas related to international security. We provide an environment in which WIIS NL members can meet and network. Join WIIS NL today to obtain full access to our networking events.

Join WIIS NL Network

We are looking for a new Events Director here at WIIS-NL!

Click the button below to learn more about the Events Director position. If you are interested, reach out and let us know!

More Information

WIIS NL Board

Saskia Postema

President

Saskia Postema is Project Manager Challenge-Based Education at Delft University of Technology.

Fleur de Braaf

Vice President

Fleur de Braaf is a policy officer at the municipality of The Hague, where she works at the department of security and focuses on the radicalization file.

Amy Blessing

Treasurer

Amy Blessing is the Counterterrorism Coordinator the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Saskia Schaper

Project Director

Saskia has a background in public affairs and public policy with an interest in foreign relations and international security.

Dalma Pollák

Secretary

Dalma is currently working at TNO as a Security Compliance Specialist after having completed her master's degree in Crisis and Security Management at Leiden University.

Caitlin Masoliver

Communications Officer

Caitlin Masoliver is a PhD Candidate at Wageningen University, split between the Law department and Public Administration & Policy departments.

Rebecca Naous

Web & Blog Manager

Rebecca Naous is a PhD candidate with the Institute of Security and Global Affairs and the Terrorism and Political Violence research group.

Lucia Deveny

Membership Engagement Officer

Julia Zonneveld

Events Officer

Dr. Paula Kibbelaar

Dutch Caribbean Representative

Dr. Paula Kibbelaar was the founding dean, associate professor and lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at the University of Aruba (UA) (2009-2013).