Gender, Militaries and Security Sector Reform

Citation:

Bastick, Megan. 2017. “Gender, Militaries and Security Sector Reform.” In The Palgrave International Handbook of Gender and the Military, edited by Rachel Woodward and Claire Duncanson, 387–402. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Author: Megan Bastick

Abstract:

Feminist scholars have been critical of policy approaches to implementing gender in security sector reform (SSR), and sceptical of their success. Nonetheless, one can find many examples of women’s organizations influencing SSR, and SSR contributing to more gender-responsive security sector institutions. SSR processes addressing armed forces should focus on the gendered aspects of personnel and operational capabilities, institutional culture and governance. Armed forces involved in international operations are increasingly mandated to undertake SSR activities, and require capabilities to address their gender dimensions. This chapter examines NATO missions’ efforts to recruit women into Afghan security forces, as highlighting some of the challenges and tensions that are illuminated by a gendered analysis of SSR.

Topics: Feminisms, Feminist Foreign Policy, Gender, Women, Gender Analysis, Governance, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Security Sector Reform Regions: Asia, South Asia Countries: Afghanistan

Year: 2017