This work was originally composed as a dissertation for the Higher Studies Course of the Rio Branco Institute, the Brazilian diplomatic academy. Due to its relevance to the United Nations agenda on women, peace and security, it was published by the Alexandre de Gusmão Foundation (FUNAG), a government-affiliated think tank that promotes the dissemination of research about diplomatic history and contemporary foreign affairs. The book immediately attracted the interest of readers from many countries. In order to meet this demand and to reach a wider readership worldwide, FUNAG is pleased to launch the current edition in the English language. This publication now joins a number of other titles available for free download at the Foundation’s digital library: https://funag.gov.br/biblioteca In so doing, FUNAG seeks to fulfill its strategic mission of democratizing access to knowledge and raising public awareness about international issues and Brazilian foreign policy.