Dr. Kiran Stallone
Academic, Gender Consultant, Advocate
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Expert in Gender, Conflict, Humanitarian and Development Research

I am a dedicated researcher and consultant specializing in gender and conflict analysis. My work spans humanitarian and development research, including gender-sensitive studies on crises, social protection, climate change, gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, and women’s health. I have led projects for organizations such as UNICEF, UN Women, Save the Children, CARE, and TAG International.
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Academic Work​

I research violence, gender dynamics, and civilian protection in peacebuilding, focusing on women’s experiences and resilience in conflict. I’ve led global research projects, earned a PhD from UC Berkeley, and an MSc from Oxford. My work appears in top journals like the Journal of Peace Research (JPR) and the International Feminist Journal of Politics (IFJP).
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Articles
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Confessions to intimate violence: FARC testimonies to sexual violations in the Colombian conflict
International Feminist Journal of Politics

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June 14, 2024
This article analyzes FARC’s rare confessions of sexual violence, tracing the shift from denial to remorse. It highlights how evolving narratives and leadership dynamics reveal the potential for breaking global silence on sexual violence in conflicts and building a unified norm to condemn such acts across Colombia’s divided society.

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Love in war? The strategic use of intimacy in armed conflict
Third World Quarterly

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Nov 23, 2023
The use of intimacy for strategic aims in war is underexplored. This article examines how Colombian civilian women in conflict zones formed relationships with armed actors to secure protection and influence. Through interviews, it shows that, lacking state security, these women leveraged intimacy to sway armed actors, promoting protection and information-sharing.

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Teaching
I’ve taught in various settings, including as a Graduate Student Instructor at UC Berkeley and yoga instructor for female FARC political prisoners in Colombia. As a consultant, I also lead workshops for government and NGO audiences.
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PhD Dissertation
Love in War? The Strategic Use of Intimacy in Armed Conflict
My PhD dissertation examined women’s strategic use of intimacy in war, framing it as a gendered practice influenced by patriarchal norms. In Colombia’s conflict, women formed relationships with armed actors to achieve personal and community goals, employing tactics like “frontstage performances” to influence governance. My research offers insights into how women “bargain with patriarchy” for survival.
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Brave Women: Fighting for Justice in the 21st Century

By Julia Zulver (Editor), Kiran Stallone (Editor)
What does it mean to fight for women’s rights today? Across the world, women risk their safety to demand justice and equality. This book spans countries from Burundi to Mexico, highlighting diverse struggles, from preventing sexual violence in Colombia to resisting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Written by activists and academics, it captures years of collaboration to show how women’s journeys differ yet share the common goal of empowerment and rights. Aimed at a general audience, it also appeals to students and researchers in feminist studies, sociology, politics, and international relations.

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Gender & Development Consulting

I am a gender and development consultant at Ladysmith, specializing in gender-sensitive research on humanitarian crises, gender-based violence, and women’s leadership. I also coordinate a global network at the University of Oxford and have worked on projects with CARE International and Save the Children, along with consulting for TAG International in Ecuador.
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Clients
Ongoing consultations​
Oxford: The Rise of the Right against Rights and Global (Dis)Order in Latin America and Beyond
Since May 2023, I have supported the British Academy-Knowledge Frontiers Project, “The Rise of the Right against Rights and Global (Dis)Order in Latin America and Beyond,” directed by Professor Leigh Payne. This project examines the backlash against marginalized groups’ rights. I coordinate sub-projects on anti-rights hate crimes in Chile and anti-LGBT discrimination in Colombia’s education, while managing grant proposals and team meetings across Latin America.

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Ladysmith – Senior Researcher
Ladysmith partners with agencies to conduct gender-sensitive research on issues like humanitarian crises and women’s empowerment. I lead projects such as a climate strategy for CARE International, a girls’ leadership analysis for Save the Children, and a review for UNICEF Ethiopia. I also contributed to UN Women’s 2024 World Survey and developed tools for UNICEF’s Gender Section, focusing on integrating gender equity into decision-making.

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Media Engagement

I believe in making research accessible to drive social change. I’ve written for outlets like The Guardian and The Washington Post, discussing topics such as women’s abortion rights and survivors organizing against sexual violence in Colombia. These publications aim to democratize research for a broader audience.
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Latest articles
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Why are Rights Activists Targeted in Colombia?
Latin America Advisor

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February 8, 2023
Colombia saw a record 215 killings of human rights activists in 2022, up from 145 in 2021, per ombudsman Carlos Camargo. What’s driving this increase, and how effective are President Gustavo Petro’s protections for activists?

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Will Gustavo Petro Live Up to His Promises to Colombia’s Women?
Al Jazeera

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June 21, 2022
President Gustavo Petro, alongside Vice President Francia Márquez, campaigned on a platform that emphasized a commitment to advancing women’s rights and addressing the specific threats they face in conflict zones. Their agenda promised to prioritize the safety, empowerment, and inclusion of women, especially in regions heavily impacted by violence and instability.

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A Colombian town’s spike in femicides is linked to armed groups
The New Humanitarian

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April 12, 2022
In Tibú, a small town along the border with Venezuela, a rising wave of violence in Colombia’s primary coca-producing region is targeting women, leading to an unprecedented spike in killings and forcing others to flee.

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In Colombia, abortion is no longer a crime. But rural women will still find it hard to get one.
The Washington post

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March 15, 2022
In February, Colombia’s highest court decriminalized abortion, removing the threat of imprisonment for women and requiring health providers to either perform abortions or refer patients to providers who do. However, women in rural areas may still struggle with access due to broader health-care disparities.

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Asylum Cases

I regularly engage in legal advocacy work as an expert witness for U.S. asylum hearings, providing country condition reports for Colombians affected by armed conflict seeking safety in the United States. I am available to testify in court when necessary.
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Dr. Kiran Stallone
Academic, Gender Consultant, Advocate
Find me on social media