Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Guide / manual / handbook

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Tool 1: Security Sector Reform and Gender (OSCE)
Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Tool 1: Security Sector Reform and Gender (OSCE)
13 February 2008

In line with its objective of integrating a gender perspective into the work of the actors and institutions that comprise the security sector and its supporting structures, ODIHR - together with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW) -  developed this toolkit as an initial response to the need for information and analysis regarding gender and security sector reform (SSR).

The publication is aimed at SSR policymakers, practitioners and researchers in national governments, security sector institutions, international and regional organizations and civil society groups.

The toolkit presents best practices and recommendations for strengthening a gender perspective within the security sector. It addresses a broad pool of security sector institutions, including the armed forces, police and national parliaments, as well as providing insight on gender within the context of national security policy-making, justice reform, and border management. It considers gender training for security sector personnel and SSR assessment, monitoring, evaluation and gender.

By ensuring that day-to-day decision- and policy-making processes include a gender perspective, interventions in security-related matters will be more likely to: (a) achieve their intended objectives, (b) have greater impact, and (c) support, address and respond to the security needs of men and women, boys and girls.

Such measures include: guaranteeing that women are viable participants in drafting national security plans; giving women equal access to the judicial system; and ensuring that the operational policies of such actors as the police and armed forces integrate gender.

The toolkit comprises:

  • User guide
  • 13 tools (20 pages each)
  • 13 corresponding shorter practice notes (4 pages each, based on the tools)
  • Annex on International and Regional Laws and Instruments related to SSR and Gender

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Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - User Guide

Security sector reform (SSR) is increasingly prioritised by governments, and on the agenda of international development, peace and security communities. SSR opens a window of possibility to transform security policies, institutions and programmes, creating opportunities to integrate gender issues. Also available in French and Russian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Tool 1: Security Sector Reform and Gender

This tool is designed to provide a basic introduction to SSR and gender issues for the staff of national governments (including in donor countries), security sector institutions, and regional and international organisations, responsible for the development of SSR policy and programming. Also available in French and Russian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Practice Note 1

This Practice Note provides a short introduction to the benefits of integrating gender issues into SSR, as well as practical information on doing so. Also available in Albanian, French, Georgian, Macedonian, Russian and Serbian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Tool 2: Police Reform and Gender

The following tool on police reform and gender focuses on the importance of strengthening the ability of the police to understand and address the different security needs of the entire population (including men, women, boys and girls, from all walks of life) and creating non-discriminatory and representative police institutions. Also available in French and Russian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Practice Note 2

This Practice Note provides a short introduction to the benefits of integrating gender issues into police reform, as well as practical information on doing so. Also available in Albanian, French, Georgian, Macedonian, Russian and Serbian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Tool 3: Defence Reform and Gender

This tool aims to contribute to an understanding of the relationship between gender and defence structures, and to highlight some practical steps that can be taken to transform the defence sector into a democratic, representative security service provider. Also available in French and Russian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Practice Note 3

This Practice Note provides a short introduction to the benefits of integrating gender issues into defence reform, as well as practical information on doing so. Also available in Albanian, French, Georgian, Macedonian, Russian and Serbian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Tool 4: Justice Reform and Gender

This tool is directed toward the personnel responsible for justice reform within national governments, international and regional organisations and donors. Parliamentarians, law societies and judges networks, civil society organisations and researchers focusing on justice reform may also find it useful. Also available in French and Russian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Practice Note 4

This Practice Note provides a short introduction to the benefits of integrating gender issues into justice reform, as well as practical information on doing so. Also available in Albanian, French, Georgian, Macedonian, Russian and Serbian.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit - Tool 5: Penal Reform and Gender

This tool on penal reform and gender provides guidance on responding to gender issues within penal systems. Also available in French and Russian.
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