GCSP Topic | Gender & Inclusive Security

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Gender & Inclusive Security

Inequality and polarisation within and between nations are increasing alongside conflict and insecurity. These interdependencies need to be understood and acted upon to achieve our collective peace and security.

The GCSP established the Gender and Inclusive Security Cluster in 2015 in recognition of the need to address gendered power imbalances to achieve our collective security. Since then, socio-economic and political gaps have continued to widen within and between countries, and were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, as highlighted in our numerous policy analyses.

The GCSP is working to integrate the Women Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda and a ‘gender and inclusion lens’ into our core courses, and we work at the nexus of peace, security and leadership to offer to advance the mindsets, skills and behaviours needed to achieve more equitable and sustainable outcomes globally. Working closely with the Geneva Leadership Alliance, we offer open- enrolment and customised courses for women and men to develop their mindsets, skillsets and toolsets to lead more inclusively. Specifically, we have worked with the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) and regional women mediator’s networks to deliver our Inspiring Women Leaders course for over 400 women globally, who continue to be under-representation in decision-making. We help them to develop strategies to overcome the gendered barriers they face in their work environments, social, cultural and political life, whilst building resilience and a network of support. We offer a comprehensive Mentoring Guide to all participants to lift others up and have ‘trained the trainer’ to scale impact.

We have also supported over 400 more leaders in inclusive leadership practices, including polarity thinking. Our customisable workshop Leveraging Diversity to Increase Performance is designed to bring together professionals who are working to better harness different experiences and perspectives, and turn tension and conflict into constructive, creative and collaborative engagement.

In recognition of the systemic leadership which is required to achieve the structural and social shifts towards more equitable outcomes, the GCSP has been part of the International Gender Champions (IGC) since 2015 and hosted the IGC Secretariat since 2019. The network brings together over 340 leaders of missions, international organisations and civil society in six multilateral hubs, each making personal commitments to advance gender equality. In 2023, Ambassador Thomas Greminger joined other Champions to form an IGC Impact Group to enhance prioritisation and coherence of the WPS Agenda in Geneva, with a focus on human rights.

Going forward, the GCSP is committed to continue to leverage its power to analyse, educate and convene diverse stakeholders. We are part of the Maison de la Paix Gender and Diversity Hub and are keen to partner with more governments, civil society and international organisations globally to harness our collective wisdom and talent to co-create solutions and influence positive change that brings peace and security to all.

Recent Publications

Strategic Security Analysis: Doing things differently - Mediating in Mozambique
Strategic Security Analysis: Reimagining Peace through the Women Peace and Security Agenda
In Focus: Tackling the Development and Security Paradox through Equity and Inclusion

Short Policy Brief Series

Publications and Insights

Op Ed: Seven Themes for Inspiring Women Leaders
Op Ed: Diversity and Inclusion: applying ancient wisdom to shift mindsets for more sustainable outcomes
Strategic Security Analysis: Advancing Inclusive Mediation Through the Lens of Leadership
Strategic Security Analysis: Women in Mediation: Connecting the Local and Global
Op Ed: Equality, Peace and Security: Creating a New Normal
Op Ed: Leveraging diversity and leading inclusively

Events

Podcasts

Experts

Ms Neha Sanghrajka

Digital Executive-in-residence Fellow at the GCSP and Senior Advisor

Dr Julia Palmiano Federer

Postdoctoral Fellow at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa and Executive-in-residence Fellow at the GCSP

Prof. Catherine Turner

Associate Fellow within the Global fellowship Initiative at the GCSP, Professor of International Law at Durham University, and Deputy Director of the Durham Global Security Institute

Ms Fleur Heyworth

Head of Gender and Inclusive Security

Ms Christina Orisich

Deputy Executive Director and Director of Executive Education

Amb. Yvette STEVENS

Executive-in-Residence at the GCSP and Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations Office at Geneva

Upcoming Course