In this special issue on 'Women, peace & security' the following articles: 'Current discourse on the role of women in conflict prevention and conflict transformation: A critique' by Louise Vincent : 'The elusive role of women in early warning and conflict prevention' by Felicity Hill : 'The untapped resource: Women in peace negotiations' by Sanam Naraghi Anderlini : 'Women and peacekeeping' by Nadine Puechguirbal : 'Women, men and the struggle to disarm' by Vanessa Farr : 'Women, war and peace' a UNIFEM report describing the impact of war on women and their role in peacebuilding : 'Counting the costs and listing the gains: Is the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 responsive to Africa's challenges?' by Thenjiwe Magwaza : 'Gender mainstreaming in the African Union: from Durban to Maputo' by Swanee Hunt and Kemi Ogunsanya : 'International criminal justice, conflict and its response to gender-based violence' by Roberta Maria Baldini : and 'Partnering for the protection of refugee women' by Ramina Johal and Megan McKenna.