UNLIREC launches Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast, celebrating the voices of women leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean working in disarmament and security.
Over 10 episodes released between 8 November and 8 December 2024, diplomats, experts, and changemakers share their journeys, challenges, and visions for a safer, more inclusive world.
Episodes are available below and on Spotify, with conversations in English, Spanish, and French.
Discover how women are driving change in peace and security!
“Women, Forces for Change: The Podcast” is funded by Canada
Episode 1: Carina Solmirano
[Available in Spanish] Starting 1 December 2024, Carina Solmirano will assume the role of Head of the Secretariat of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), following her selection at the Tenth Conference of States Parties in August 2024, becoming the first Argentinian and Latin American woman to assume this responsibility. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field of disarmament, peace and international security.
In this episode of “Women, Forces of Change. The Podcast”, Carina Solmirano shares how her path has led her to work for justice and human rights, always with a humanitarian approach.
Episode 2: Nadine Bushell
Nadine Bushell is a leader in security and development, currently serving as the Acting Assistant Director of Projects at the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS). With a wealth of experience in both government and international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), she leverages her expertise to advance initiatives aimed at building a safer and more secure Caribbean region.
In this episode, Nadine Bushell shares her journey, from her early aspirations to pursue a career in law to her deep commitment to social development, specifically in the field of the security.
Episode 3: Clarissa Ríos
[Available in Spanish] Clarissa Rios is a scientist and global disarmament leader from Peru. With a PhD in molecular biology, Clarissa Rios works at the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, focusing on preventing the use of biological weapons and promoting peace.
In this episode, she shares how her love of biology began and how the understanding of the impact of science on global security inspired her to work for peace.
Episode 4: Tamika Henry
Tamika Henry is a former Forensic Technologist with the Guyana Police Force and Senior Science Officer at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory. Currently, she supports the OPCW Technical Secretariat in advancing the global implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
In this episode, Tamika Henry shares how her passion for conflict resolution and the application of science led her to work towards enhancing security.
Episode 5: Constanza Bucarey
[Available in Spanish] Constanza Bucarey is a leading Chilean professional with over 16 years of experience in customs risk management, border security and strategic trade control in Latin America.
Her message to young women: “Be confident in your role, dare to explore male-dominated fields. You will encounter challenges, but also people who will support you.”
Episode 6: Kettly Julien
[Available in French] Kettly Julien is the Executive Director of the Institut Mobile d’Éducation Démocratique (IMED) and active member of the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (CNDDR) of Haiti.
In this episode, she tells us how she has overcome challenges since her childhood and turned her fears into strengths to fight for social justice and human rights. She also shares how her work has contributed to the pacification of communities in Haití.
“Haitian society is patriarchal, and women face great obstacles, but we must fight for equality, shoulder to shoulder with men, without sexism.”
Episode 7: Juliana Aguiar
[Available in Spanish] Juliana Aguiar, Brazilian journalist and human rights defender, shares with us her valuable testimony and her tireless work to give visibility to voices that have historically been silenced.
In this episode, Juliana Aguiar tells us how her interest in human rights led her to work at the Fogo Cruzado Institute, where she monitors violence in more than 50 Brazilian cities making visible the violence and gun policies that affect so many women.
Episode 8: Mayda de León
[Available in Spanish] Mayda De León is well known for her work on prevention of violence and arms control. With more than 20 years of experience, Mayda shares with us her journey, her commitment to human rights and her current leadership role as Vice Minister of Violence and Crime Prevention in Guatemala.
In this episode, Mayda De León tells us how, from a young age, she became interested in issues of justice, human rights and later in security, a field in which women were beginning to make their presence felt but which was still dominated by men.
“We women are powerful, and we are truly Forces of Change”, is Mayda’s message to the new generations of women in security.
Episode 9: Ana Pamela Romero
[Available in Spanish] Ana Pamela Romero, a Juris doctor and criminalistics expert from Mexico. Over the past 16 years she has held several positions as a researcher, professor and, currently, national director of the Law Program at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Since 2014, she has worked as an expert consultant for UNLIREC in legal, forensic and gender perspective in the investigation of firearms crimes.
In this episode, she tells us about the path that led her from the field of justice to the field of peace and disarmament; in her own words, “we cannot think of justice without peace or peace without justice”.
Episode 10: Elizabeth Ward
Dr. Elizabeth Ward, a medical epidemiologist with more than 15 years of experience in violence prevention. She established the Jamaica Injury Surveillance System (JISS), which collects critical data on gunshot wounds and supports multi-agency efforts to reduce violent crime. Dr. Ward works with organizations such as WHO, PAHO, and UNICEF, focusing on strategies to address violence against children.
In this episode, she shares her interest and expertise in safety and highlights the essential role of women in driving change. “I’ve seen in hospitals that gun violence can be prevented,” she points out.
Episode 11: Bonus
We’re celebrating the fourteenth anniversary of the adoption of the UN resolution on women, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control with a special episode featuring Maritza Chan Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN, and Dennis Francis, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN, who, together with Soledad Urruela, Director of UNLIREC, share with us their own experiences and encouraging messages to young women.