An Analysis of Gender-Based Security Risks in International Relations

This essay delves into the critical intersection of gender and security within the framework of international relations. It begins by highlighting the importance of gender neutrality in addressing security concerns, examining specific security risks such as physical and sexual violence, with a particular focus on the vulnerability of women. The essay explores the factors that contribute to gender-based violence, including societal attitudes, lack of education, economic disparities, and the influence of drugs and alcohol. It further analyzes the challenges in achieving gender balance and security, addressing psychological factors, financial dependencies, and ineffective security frameworks. The essay concludes with recommendations for safeguarding against gender-sensitive violence, emphasizing education, improved legislative frameworks, and increased awareness. The essay also discusses the impact of violence on both genders. The content covers violence in refugee camps, war, and domestic settings, offering a comprehensive overview of gender-based security threats and potential mitigation strategies.

International Relations and
Security Studies

TABLE OF CONTENTS
MAJOR ESSAY .............................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Security risks specific to gender..................................................................................................1
Factors causing gender based violence and sexual harassment...................................................2
Challenges for gender balance and security ................................................................................4
Recommendations for safeguarding from gender sensitive violence issues................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................8

MAJOR ESSAY
INTRODUCTION
The gender plays critical role in the security analysis and humanitarian development
strategies. There has been vast range of stereotypes associated with the habits, perspective,
behaviour and attitude on the basis of gender. The gender based security considerations are
important for both men and women. Thus, for providing the security to humanity and society it is
required that gender neutrality must be established by eliminating the gender differences based
on stereotypes (Hagen, 2016). The study will provide a brief description of the security
challenges in terms of physical and sexual violence on the basis of gender. It will also discuss the
various factors which encourages such gender biased discrimination. The report will also provide
suggestions for developing an effective framework for security risk management.
Security risks specific to gender
The physical and sexual violence is one of the major security risk and women are more
vulnerable to this security risk. The security threat is not limited to only some specific regions or
the localities but is also evident across the globe. During the situation of wars or displacement
the incidence of violence and harassments becomes more dominant. In the war front where it is
assumed that man are required to face the exposure of violence in the battle ground while women
are meant to satisfy the needs of man. Thus, as easy target of taking frustration women are at
high risk of sexual harassment. Such type of violence is not only demonstrated by only family
members but also by the other military forces and other personnels and groups which are active
during wars (Kirby and Shepherd, 2016). During peaceful environment also the sexual
harassment with women is quite common in societies.
Apart from the sexual harassment the use of physical violence against women is also
major concern for the health, safety and security of the women. These incidences of violence
have significant impact on the physical and psychological health of women. According to the
statistics of world health organisation around 70% of women worldwide have experienced the
sexual harassment for at least once in their life (Facts and figures: Ending violence against
women, 2018). As a result of these violence events many women commits suicide or are killed
due to severe health consequences which results form the violence.
The sexual harassment results in several health complications such as unintended
pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, pregnancy related complexities, anxiety
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disorders and stress and other poor health consequences. Though the fact cannot be denied that
male population does not suffer from the violence events but such perspective is usually
discarded by the social groups (Runyan, 2018). Since the percentage of violence against women
is so bigger and common as well that security risk assessments and policy makers usually pay
attention to only women victims.
However, in almost all the societies of the world it is strongly believed that man has
dominance over the power and control. It creates a wide gap in the equality among both the
genders and thus the physical violence has been a major and common concern from the
centuries. The severe impact of the sexual harassments and physical violence not only affects the
women health but it also influences the well being and upbringing of children. Women have been
assumed to take the responsibility of taking care of the child (Sloand and et.al., 2015). When
children witness such events it creates negative impact on the children and thus their growth and
psychological health is affected. The abusive perception of man towards women is not restricted
to specific groups or society. The same trends are observed globally. For instance in the refugee
camps the sexual harassments is very common. During the situation of conflicts and wars woman
are very easy target for the invaders. Among the war prisoners the man are exposed to deaths or
physical tortures while the women are mainly exposed to sexual harassments.
Factors causing gender based violence and sexual harassment
The increased instances of the physical abuse and violence against women is supported
by the majority of the factors. The social perception and attitude towards the women the key
factor which encourages such abusive and unacceptable practices towards women. The lack of
education is the key driver for this perception. Due to limited education and restricted thinking
many people assumes that women are mere objects and they are responsible for meeting the
needs of family and children (Sikweyiya and et.al., 2017). It is the strong belief that only man
has right and authority to control.
Thus, in order to prove this assumption most of the time women are harassed and
physically tortured so that male supremacy can be established in the society. As compare to
women the man tends to be more masculine and thus it becomes very easy for them to use
physical force against women. Whenever there is economic crisis or any kind of conflicts people
visualise women as easy target to take frustration and thus they are subjected to violence. One of
the irony related to the security assessment and prevalence is that though women have high
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vulnerabilities of suffering from sexual harassment or physical violence but they did not get
support from their own family members or other women.
There are still many societies where poverty is very high and education level are low.
Thus, social groups and women assumes that since man is earning member and holds social
dominance women must experience the violence silently (Freedman, 2016). Even when women
try to raise their voice against such violence from their own family members or from husband
then their voice is suppressed. It has been also observed that there are cultures in which women
are taught from childhood that men are supposed to do sexually harassment and it is acceptable
so they must not protest against it. The same has been elucidated by the statistics of WHO, as per
which approx 58% of women killed were murdered by their own family members or the husband
(Facts and figures: Ending violence against women, 2018). This attitude towards the violence
encourages the security threats for women.
Another reason for sexual harassment against women is the drugs and alcohol. The
consumption of these objects gave rise to violence actions. It has been observed that the
individuals who are addicted to alcohol tend to follow more abusive practices towards women.
Since women have limited support from the family members and it is assumed that their physical
capabilities are also lower than man they experience more violence as compare to man. These
threats of harassment and violence are more dominating towards women.
Most of the violence incidence against women are not reported and thus such social and
security issues are encouraged regularly. Gender inequality has been also fostered by the
religious terms and policies. Due to religious and cultural aspects girls and women are not
provided equal treatment and growth opportunities. It makes them highly dependent on men and
thus due to economic dependency and social stereotypes women are forced to peacefully face
such harassments (Wachter and et.al., 2018). It is also observed that women does not receive
family support and thus they do not have any sufficient resources to raise t heir voice against
such injustice. Another critical factor which is responsible for the sexual based violence is the
limited support to girl education.
The girls are prevented from completing their education. It affects the confidence level
and knowledge ability of the women. Contrary to this man is not exposed to any such restrictions
or the boundaries. This attribute is also one of the critical element which influences the security
vulnerabilities of the women towards domestic violence and threats. The legislative perspective
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is also significant attribute which can contribute in encouragement of sexual harassment and
violence. The nations in which the legislative framework is not effective enough to protect the
safety and rights of women have higher prevalences of such violences (Ní Aoláin, 2016).
Contrary to this the societies which have firm regulations to avoid violence against women
provides improved and secure living environment to women.
Challenges for gender balance and security
Most of the genders sensitive issues are assumed to focus primarily on women. However,
both the genders have equal vulnerabilities towards security risks. For instance due to limited
involvement of women in political or cultural events men are at greater risk of social crimes such
as kidnapping, murders or verbal abuse. Contrary to his women are at risk of mental and sexual
harassment, physical violence and human trafficking. Thus, for providing the secure and safe
environment to every individual it is required that the key challenges hindering gender equality
must be addressed (Tiessen, 2015). The psychology has been one of the key challenge affecting
gender balance. It has been common perception in most of the regions of the world that man are
stronger and held responsibility to control family, society and women. Thus, it is impossible for
men to get victimised as victim of sexual harassment or physical torture.
Contrary to this for women it is believed that they are meant for only obeying instructions
of men. This psychology must be changed and addressed so that actual security risk for both the
genders can be identified. Another critical challenge in assuring gender sensitive security is
financial dependency and lack of education (Panday and Rabbani, 2017). Most of the women are
dependent upon their husband or father for the livelihood and social identity. Thus, their survival
completely revolves around men. As a result, they are always at back foot on protesting against
violence.
Similarly, when men are subjected to any kind of sexual harassment they are always
afraid from the social stereotypes that people will make fun of them or will question on their
masculinity. Thus, even if people face any kind of violence or abuse such incidences are not
reported due to gender based stereotypes and social conceptions (Bunch, 2018). This type of
stereotype barriers are the first and the most impactful challenges in implementing gender
security.
Apart from the psychological and stereotype factors the security framework is also one of
the challenge which acts as the barrier to security. There is lack of effective security
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infrastructure and legislative framework which gives protection to men and women. For instance
in many societies still there are no appropriate frameworks which protects women from the
sexual harassments from their partners.
Similarly, the existing legislative framework also assumes that only women are victims
of sexual harassment or the physical violence from partners. There is no provision or the
consideration of this type of security threats for men. Hence, there is need of improving security
strategies which identifies all the possible security risk irrespective of the gender bias approach.
The financial, social, political, lack of education and cultural factors can be drivers for such
ineffective security frameworks (Sjoberg, 2016). The ineffective educational frameworks are
also responsible for making people less aware about the global trends of gender equality. Thus
people remain unaware of the hazards of these security risks and the mitigation strategies which
can provide them secure living.
Recommendations for safeguarding from gender sensitive violence issues
The violence issues and the impact of gender stereotypes on such security threats can be
reduced by several risk assessment and prevention strategies. The most effective strategy to
address the issue is to enhance the education level and awareness among social groups. The
government must focus on including these issues in the education curriculum so that from
childhood individuals can learn the practice of gender equality (McWilliams and Kilmurray,
2015). It is also recommended that the legislative framework must be improved so that such
violence incidences can be reported without any fear from gender considerations. It has been also
observed that security agencies consist of men only.
Women are often scared or hesitated of reporting sexual abuse or violence in front of
opposite gender. Thus, it is required that the contribution of women must be increased in the
security service providers or the local authorities so that women can freely take their actions
against violence and other security threats. The financial stability is critical challenge which
makes women more vulnerable to the violence and domestic abuse. Thus, legislative and
government authorities must also make affords to encourage the equal growth and career
opportunities for the women as well.
When women will be able to get good employment and growth scope in their career then
their dependency on men will be reduce and they will oppose all kind of violences. There is a
high need to change the stereotypes (Bahun and Rajan, 2016). The society must understand that
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men can also be the victim of violence and thus instead of neglecting their security concerns their
issues must also be resolved. The social welfare groups and government agencies must initiate
the women empowerment campaigns so that they are provided equal treatment, respect and
growth opportunities at work.
The regulations such as domestic violence prevalence or the prevention from the sexual
abuse will bring significant reduction in the violence. The gender biased violence can be
eliminated and reduced only if the gender stereotypes are address and improved. It has been also
evaluated from the above discussed factors that poverty and unemployment is also one of the
factor which encourages men to use physical forces against men (Davies and True, 2015). Thus,
new employment opportunities must be created in societies so that emotion or the alcohol driven
physical violence can be reduced.
In the war prone areas or in refugee camps the regulatory or managing authorities must
monitor and assure that even during such emergency or critical grounds also the humanitarian
grounds and security are not put at stake. The health care service providers can also play
significant role in identification and prevention of violence and harassment. Even during the
refugee camps when such professionals observe any of the abusive incidents they must bring
such event in limelight so that proper care services can be provided to victim and an awareness
can be created among communities.
Women must also be empower in terms of physical strength and metal development. The
easy access to health care services, nutritional food and self defence learnings will also help them
to raise their voice against injustice (Yang, 2016). Thus, these services must also be provided to
women so that their security can be increased.
CONCLUSION
From the essay discussion it can be concluded that gender is an integral element in the
security risk assessment. Thus, it is required that security needs and issues must be identified on
the basis of gender, social stereotypes and possible vulnerabilities specific to any particular
gender. It has been also analysed from the study that the gender specific risks cannot be
overcome until social equality and gender balance is not established in the society. The gender
discrimination in societies leads to the huge gap in the security vulnerabilities towards particular
gender. It is also evaluated from the study that women have been at major risk of such sexual
harassments and physical violence thus there is need to create awareness and education among
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communities so that a safe living environment can be provided to every individual without
gender type.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Affairs. 92(2). pp.249-254.
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Runyan, A.S., 2018. Global gender issues in the new millennium. Routledge.
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Sjoberg, L., 2016. The gender of violence in war and conflict. In Handbook on Gender in World
Politics. Edward Elgar Publishing.
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Tiessen, R., 2015. Gender essentialism in Canadian foreign aid commitments to women, peace,
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Wachter, K. and et.al., 2018. Drivers of intimate partner violence against women in three refugee
camps. Violence against women. 24(3). pp.286-306.
Yang, N., 2016. Sexual and gender-based violence in conflict-affected societies: A comparative
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Online
Facts and figures: Ending violence against women, 2018. [Online]. Accessed through
<http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-
figures>
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