Her work focuses on the multiple challenges faced by women and girls in conflict, peacebuilding and development. She is particularly interested in the situation of girls in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Syria. She works to highlight needs and concerns of children and women asylum seekers and refugees, especially those trafficked into forced marriage or domestic servitude, victims of rape and FGM. She blogs on armed violence reduction, local peacebuilding initiatives, child soldiering, food insecurity, maternal health and education. Follow Vanessa on Twitter @VThevathasan.