Suparva Narasimhaiah is currently working as a Gender Specialist for the Security Sector Reform (SSR)/ Rule of Law Programme at UNDP Iraq. She works with the Office of the National Security Advisor in Iraq to mainstream “gender” across the National Security Strategy and the Security Sector Reforms Plan for Iraq. She also engages extensively with the Ministry of Interior, Women’s Empowerment Directorate, Independent Human Rights Commission, and civil society organisations in Iraq to support the implementation of the Women Peace and Security 1325 National Action Plan for Iraq. She additionally works within the UNDP Iraq Country Office to support gender mainstreaming across the Country Office programming on all thematic areas. Prior to working with UNDP in Iraq, she worked for five years with USAID and UNDP in Afghanistan – as a Programme Management Specialist – focusing on Anti Human Trafficking, Rule of Law (SSR and Human Security), Gender (Spotlight Initiative for Afghanistan), and Transitional Justice with the Human Rights Commission in light of the peace talks between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban. She has also worked with the International Law Commission, UN Secretariat, International Peace Institute, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.  

Suparva graduated with a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University in 2012. She graduated with her bachelor’s in law from Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), in India after which she clerked with the former Chief Justice of India at the Supreme Court of India.   

Participant in: January/February 2022 Fellowship: Peacebuilding and Women’s Meaningful Participation in Peacebuilding Processes