Through security sector reform, Member States can realize gender equality and the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in security sector institutions.
This is a critical step towards more accountable, inclusive, and responsive institutions.
Representation and diversity also allow Member States to leverage broadened skillsets and improve operational effectiveness by reflecting the communities that security services serve.
Security Council resolutions 2151 (2014) and 2553 (2020) emphasize the importance of:
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more women in the security sector
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women’s equal and effective participation in all stages of security sector reform
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vetting processes to exclude perpetrators of sexual violence from the security sector
They call for Member States to remove legal, institutional, and regulatory barriers to women’s equal participation in the security sector.
The United Nations supports gender equality-oriented reforms in national security sectors.
This support can include:
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conducting barrier assessments
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putting in place vetting mechanisms
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establishing temporary special measures
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strengthening oversight and accountability mechanisms
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enabling women to shape negotiations on security provisions of peace agreements, national security policies, expenditures, or laws
Read the UN report Towards Equal Opportunity for Women in Defence Sector to learn more.
