Noël James

CFR Staff

Noël James

Research Associate, Women and Foreign Policy

Noël James is the research associate for the women and foreign policy program at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). She holds a BA in international studies with minors in legal studies and women's, gender, and sexuality studies from American University. She is currently pursuing an MA in gender, sexuality in global politics at SOAS University of London.

Technology and Innovation

Women This Week: UK to Pass Legislation Criminalizing Deepfake Images 

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers January 11 to January 17.

Post by Noël James January 21, 2025 Women Around the World
Religion

Women This Week: First Woman Appointed to Top Position in the Holy See

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers January 4 to January 10.

Post by Noël James January 10, 2025 Women Around the World
Human Rights

Malala Yousafzai Honored for Her Efforts to Combat Gender Apartheid Ten Years After Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize

Calls to formally recognize gender apartheid as a crime against humanity increase amidst growing edicts targeting the freedoms of women and girls by the Taliban

Post by Catherine Powell and Noël James January 9, 2025 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Indian Politicians Court Women Voters

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers December 14 to December 20.

Post by Noël James December 20, 2024 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang Elected as Ghana’s First Female Vice President

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers December 7 to December 13.

Post by Noël James and Uma Fox December 16, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: New UN Report Finds Women Most At-Risk of Violence in Their Own Homes

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers November 23 to December 6.

Post by Noël James and Uma Fox December 6, 2024 Women Around the World
Climate Change

Women This Week: Deadlock at COP29 to Update UN Action Plan on Gender and Climate

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers November 16 to November 22.

Post by Noël James and Uma Fox November 22, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Online Abuse Against Women Surges After U.S. Election

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers November 9 to November 15.

Post by Noël James and Uma Fox November 15, 2024 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Maia Sandu Wins Reelection in Moldova

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers November 2 to November 8.

Post by Noël James November 8, 2024 Women Around the World
Georgia

Women This Week: President Salome Zourabichvili Leads Protest Against Pro-Russia Ruling Party

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers October 26 to November 1.

Post by Linda Robinson and Noël James November 1, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Rate of Women Killed in Conflict Doubles in 2023

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers October 19 to October 25.

Post by Noël James October 25, 2024 Women Around the World
Demonstrations and Protests

Women This Week: Women Demand that President Erdoğan Act to Address Domestic Violence

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers October 12 to October 18.

Post by Noël James October 18, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Women This Week: Georgia Supreme Court Reinstates Highly Restrictive Six-Week Abortion Ban

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers October 5 to October 11.

Post by Noël James October 11, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Taking Stock on the International Day of the Girl Child

Colombia, Sweden, and the United Nations to convene the First Global Ministerial on Ending Violence Against Children.

Post by Linda Robinson and Noël James October 10, 2024 Women Around the World
Corruption

A Conversation with Agather Atuhaire, Executive Team Lead at Agora Discourse

Ugandan lawyer, journalist, digital activist, and 2024 laureate of the International Women of Courage Award describes work using the digital space to expose corruption and advocate for social justice.

Post by Noël James and Linda Robinson October 8, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Women This Week: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan Disproportionately Impacts Women and Girls

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 28 to October 4.

Post by Noël James October 4, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Gisèle Pelicot is France’s New Feminist Hero

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 21 to September 27.

Post by Noël James September 27, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Women This Week: Women’s Deaths Cited as ‘Preventable’ in Georgia

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 14 to September 20.

Post by Noël James September 20, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: UN Projects Climate Crisis will Increase Intimate Partner Violence Rates

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 7 to September 13.

Post by Noël James September 13, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Thousands Protest Murder and Rape of Female Doctor in India

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers August 17 to August 23.

Post by Noël James August 22, 2024 Women Around the World
Afghanistan

How the Taliban’s Rule Is Fueling the Movement to End Gender Apartheid

The Taliban’s outright denial of women’s rights in Afghanistan has spurred a global push to combat gender-based oppression.

In Brief by Clara Fong and Noël James August 21, 2024
Peacekeeping

Women This Week: Sudanese Women Participate on Peace Talks

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers August 10 to August 16.

Post by Noël James August 15, 2024 Women Around the World
Demonstrations and Protests

Women This Week: PM Sheikh Hasina Flees Bangladesh Amid Protests

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers August 3 to August 9.

Post by Noël James August 8, 2024 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: María Corina Machado Leads Protests in Venezuela

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers July 27 to August 2.

Post by Noël James and Imaan Mirza August 1, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Women This Week: UN Reports on Sexual Violence and Other Crimes Against Sudanese Refugees

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers July 20 to July 26.

Post by Noël James and Imaan Mirza July 25, 2024 Women Around the World
Gambia

Women This Week: Gambian Parliament Rejects Effort to Allow Female Genital Mutilation

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers July 13 to July 19.

Post by Noël James and Imaan Mirza July 18, 2024 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Historic Number of Women Lawmakers Elected in Britain

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers July 6 to July 12.

Post by Noël James and Imaan Mirza July 11, 2024 Women Around the World
Inequality

Women This Week: Women Excluded From UN-led Talks on Afghanistan

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 29 to July 3.

Post by Noël James July 3, 2024 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Women Positioned to Lead the European Union in Top Jobs

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 22 to June 28.

Post by Noël James June 28, 2024 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Female Candidates Targeted Online in the United Kingdom

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 15 to June 21.

Post by Noël James June 21, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Women This Week: Milei Administration Dissolves Argentina’s Ministry of Women

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 8 to June 14.

Post by Noël James June 14, 2024 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Mexico to Elect First Woman President

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 1 to June 7.

Post by Noël James June 7, 2024 Women Around the World
Social Issues

Women This Week: Melinda Gates to Spend $1 Billion to Advance Women’s Issues

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers May 25 to May 31.

Post by Noël James May 31, 2024 Women Around the World
Child Marriage

Women This Week: Activists End Effort to Carry out Mass Wedding Involving Child Brides in Nigeria

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers May 18 to May 24.

Post by Noël James May 24, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Women This Week: First Study Post Overturn of Roe v. Wade on Permanent Contraception

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers May 11 to May 17.

Post by Noël James May 20, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Women This Week: Women and Girls Facing Severe Challenges as Israel Plans Rafah Invasion

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers May 4 to May 10.

Post by Noël James May 10, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Reparations for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Ukraine

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers April 27 to May 3.

Post by Noël James May 3, 2024 Women Around the World
European Union

Women This Week: European Parliament Combating Violence Against Women

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers April 20 to April 26.

Post by Noël James April 26, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Women This Week: Shortages of Essential Goods for Women and Children in Gaza

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers April 13 to April 19.

Post by Noël James April 19, 2024 Women Around the World
Health

Women This Week: Heightened Levels of Malnutrition for Women and Children

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers April 6 to April 12.

Post by Noël James April 12, 2024 Women Around the World
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Women Make Significant Gains in Turkey's Local Elections

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers March 30 to April 5.

Post by Noël James April 8, 2024 Women Around the World
Human Rights

Women This Week: Saudi Arabia to Chair the Commission on the Status of Women

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers March 23 to March 29.

Post by Noël James March 29, 2024 Women Around the World
Maternal and Child Health

Women This Week: Gambia Moves to Reverse Ban on Female Genital Mutilation

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers March 16 to March 22.

Post by Noël James March 25, 2024 Women Around the World
Demonstrations and Protests

Women This Week: Thousands of Women Gather Despite Protest Ban in Turkey

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers March 9 to March 15.

Post by Noël James March 15, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: International Women’s Day

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers March 2 to March 8.

Post by Noël James March 8, 2024 Women Around the World
Iran

Women This Week: Women Journalists Tried for Undermining National Security in Iran

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 10 to June 16.

Post by Noël James June 16, 2023 Women Around the World
Women and Women's Rights

Women’s Power Index

Find out where women around the world wield political power—and why it matters.

Interactive by Linda Robinson and Noël James December 9, 2024 Women and Foreign Policy Program

Climate Change

Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures

Introduction Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate…

Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong January 21, 2025 Renewing America

Southeast Asia

What Is ASEAN?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organization that brings together disparate neighbors to address economic and security issues, but the group’s impact remains limited.

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors January 15, 2025

Taiwan

Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense

Differences over Taiwan’s status have fueled rising tensions between the island and mainland. Taiwan is the likeliest potential flash point in U.S.-China relations.

Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong January 15, 2025

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