Security Sector

Overview
The Initiative for Inclusive Security advocates for women as members and overseers of the security sector. Through research, advocacy, and training, Inclusive Security prepares women to assume greater roles and responsibilities in security institutions worldwide.

The goals of our program are:
1. Increase the number and influence of women throughout the security sector
2. Gather best practices and recommendations on outreach, recruitment, and training
3. Train police, military officials, and civilians to increase women’s inclusion in security
4. Assist women in government and civil society to collaborate with security sector actors

Highlights
• Published three case studies analyzing women’s contributions to the security sector in El Salvador, Sierra Leone, and South Africa
• Conducted workshops in Liberia that increased women’s participation in security sector reform
• Held consultations for Afghan leaders and international policymakers in Belgium and Afghanistan, cosponsored by NATO and the Afghan Foreign Ministry
• Cosponsored a workshop with the US Department of State on recruitment of US female police officers for international peace operations
• Trained 60 US police officers deployed to Afghanistan on how to work effectively with local women leaders and community members
• Assisted the Committee of Women in NATO Forces in developing guidelines for gender mainstreaming in NATO operations.
• Provided training and developed advocacy on security sector engagement for 30 Afghan, Colombian, Haitian, Israeli, Liberian, and Palestinian women leaders as part of an annual colloquium

Elements
Advocacy: The Initiative promotes women’s leadership in security operations led by the United Nations, the US Department of State and Department of Defense, NATO, and the Council of the European Union. In cooperation with organizations for women in uniform, Inclusive Security provides best practices and innovative strategies for reaching potential female recruits. In countries such as United States, Afghanistan, and Liberia, we work with local partners to increase the recruitment of women for national and international police forces.

Trainings and consultations: Fostering dialogue among security institutions and women in government and civil society is integral to the Initiative’s success. Inclusive Security hosts workshops with women leaders, policymakers, and military and police officers to strategize ways to improve cooperation among stakeholders. 

Short courses: The Initiative offers orientation for police and military peacekeeping personnel, highlighting the importance of women’s inclusion. Participants identify techniques for bridging gaps between international security forces and civil society. Inclusive Security also integrates modules on women’s inclusion in these forces’ training curricula.