Empirical evidence indicates when the Women, Peace & Security framework is used in national and international security decision-making, it results in improved outcomes for peace and stability
Evidence indicates that gender inequality leads to negative security implications. In fact, countries with high gender inequality scores are more than twice as likely to be fragile states, according to Dr. Joan Johnson-Freese, Professor Emeritus of National Security Affairs for the Naval War College and a Senior Fellow at Women in International Security.
Indeed, including women in peace processes increases the probability of stability and peace by 20% over at least two years and 35% over at least 15 years.
For example, gender inequality perpetuates hunger and instability. Food aid in emerging economies typically is distributed to landowners, who are often men, rather than to women who do most of the actual agricultural work, says Dr. Johnson-Freese. “Distributing food aid differently could decrease the number of hungry people by 150 million,” she adds.
To improve security and stability, including the minimization of human and child exploitation, Dr. Johnson-Freese advocates for using the Women, Peace & Security framework (WPS), which is an analytic tool rooted in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which was passed in 2000.
The framework emphasizes the empirically established relationship between gender equality and security at both the national and international levels. The WPS framework aims to increase women’s participation in security decision-making, protect women from violence, prevent conflicts by addressing gender inequality, and ensure effective relief and recovery processes in a post-conflict environment.
Gender inequality harms men too
In addition to women, men also experience negative consequences as the result of gender inequality and instability. For instance, in some cultures, men are pressured to meet societal expectations. “In Egypt before the 2011 revolution, men were delaying marriage until their 30s due to economic pressures related to getting married,” explains Dr. Johnson Freese. “And, in China, unmarried men are perceived as potential security threats due to lacking family ties and societal integration.”
Likewise, women’s participation in decision-making in national security benefit all citizens and increases stability. “When women are involved in peace treaty negotiations, for example, there is a higher likelihood of the treaty lasting longer,” she says, adding that involving women in peace processes boosts the likelihood of achieving stability and peace by 35% for a duration of at least 15 years.
Key actions to remove barriers
To integrate the WPS framework into national and international security processes, Kristen Abrams, Chief Program Officer at the McCain Institute; Thomson Reuters’ Heather Fischer, Social Impact & Human Rights Senior Advisor; and other attendees at a recent roundtable of academia, government, and private sector participants recommend the following strategies:
Engage the private sector — In the past, the private sector has been left out of conversations about WPS between civil society and government. While companies are not traditionally seen as actors in the peace and security space, their influence on economic stability, employment, and community development means they have a key role to play in supporting women’s empowerment and advancing peace.
Address under-representation in the peace processes — Despite progress, women’s participation in peace negotiations, mediation, and decision-making remains minimal. Women constitute less than 20% of negotiators and only a small fraction of peace agreement signatories. Governments, regional organizations, and the UN should adopt quotas, financing mechanisms, and gender-sensitive policies to ensure women’s inclusion in peace negotiations, conflict resolution, and peacekeeping missions.
Incorporate the WPS framework in new security challenges — Addressing emerging security issues, such as climate change, health crises, and violent extremism, through a WPS lens can ensure that gender perspectives are integrated into all aspects of United States foreign policy and national security.
However, the group pointed out that gender-based cultural and structural obstacles can still impede progress, suggesting some tactics for remedying this, including:
Insert data-back requirements for positive security into peace requirements — Access to equitable healthcare that addresses the needs of the community, access to food and water, and access to education are data-backed drivers that increase stability and security in conflict areas. These issues have not been taken as seriously in the past because they historically have been treated as women’s issues.
Increase awareness and education — Raising awareness about the relationship between gender inequality and security is essential in promoting inclusive diversity and recognizing the additive value of women in security decision-making and operations. In particular, there is a strong need to integrate gender into academic programs that specialize in international relations and security studies, says Dr. Johnson-Frees. “Many individuals, even those in positions of power, are not familiar with the framework and its importance in achieving security and stability.”
Once the connection between gender equality and security is understood, people’s perspective can change. Often, this new paradigm pushes individuals to emerge as major advocates for the WPS framework. “Once you see this relationship [between gender inequality and security], you can’t unsee it,” Dr. Johnson-Freese adds.
Conclusion
The strong relationship between gender equality and security is well-documented through empirical research and the WPS framework. Enhancing gender equality not only improves national and international security but also benefits societal stability and governance.
The next generation of scholars and practitioners need to lead the way by integrating gender perspectives into their research and advocating for WPS to be included in all academic programs related to international and national security.
You can find more on the challenges of achieving Diversity & Inclusion in an organization here.
