Gender in security studies

Gender in security studies is a subfield of international relations and comparative politics.^[1][2][3][4] Feminist security studies and queer security studies have provided a gender lens which shows that the study of wars, conflicts, and the institutions involved in peace and security decision-making cannot be done fully without examining the role of gender and sexuality.^[5][6][7] Praising of masculine qualities has created a hierarchy of power and gender where femininity is looked down upon. Institutions reflect these power dynamics, creating systemic obstacles where women, who are seen as less capable than men, are prevented from holding high positions.^[7] Evolutionary theory and political sociology provides an understanding of how institutions like the patriarchy were created and how perceptions around national security formed between men and women.^[8]

In order to understand gender, one must look at how hierarchies create power dynamics between masculine and feminine qualities.^[5] Societal beliefs around gender and its relationship with security can be traced back to the praising of masculine qualities for such positions.^[5] This favor has enabled hierarchy of power and gender to form where femininity is looked down upon. Institutions reflect these power dynamics, creating systemic obstacles where women, who are seen as less capable than men, are prevented from holding high positions.^[7] In order to obtain such positions, women have had to take on more masculine qualities.^[9] Societal expectations of gender and its relationship to security, however, have been found to be erroneous and filled with bias.^[10]

Gender plays a role in civil conflicts with who is in battle and who is receiving assistance. Women are sought by groups to fight and are also use as symbols for public audiences.^[11] Ideas surrounding victimhood and gender, however, result in protection agencies overlooking men when providing aid.^[12]

The international community has taken steps to recognize and improve women's participation in the security and peace sectors. The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325 to improve women's involvement.^[7] However, a sidestreaming phenomenon has formed in which women are kept in certain roles in the security sector while institutions promote inclusion in all aspects.^[6] This has raised questions of whether the goal should be to include more women or to restructure existing institutions so that they are truly gender neutral.^[6] Nepal has had success in improving women's involvement in their security and peace sectors through the use of civil society organizations.^[13]