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Women not equally involved in expert discussions on #nuclear disarmament

In the debate towards nuclear disarmament, where are all the women?, Institute for Security Studies  26 August 2015 This year marks seven decades since the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Commemorating this devastating event raises critical questions about efforts to eliminate and curb the spread of nuclear weapons. Among the many debates, there is, however, one pertinent question that is often overlooked: where are all the women?

On the face of it, contexts where nuclear weapons and efforts at disarmament are typically discussed appear to be gender neutral – that is, allowing for the equal participation of women and men.

Organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) have come a long way in creating a gender-equitable space in the peace and security arena. The AU, for instance, has dedicated this year to African women’s empowerment and development. Yet, are women and men equally involved in initiatives and forums for eliminating and curbing the spread of nuclear weapons?

An analysis of the level of participation of women and men in two particular forums revealed some compelling findings. The analyses were based on data collected from the lists of participants available online from the Review Conferences of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT); and the United Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament………..

These analyses make it clear that women and men are differently involved in initiatives, discussions and negotiations in arenas for curbing and eliminating nuclear weapons. There are other factors that might explain the underrepresentation of women, intended or unintended, in nuclear weapons platforms that merit further investigation. Which factors, for example, might dissuade women from considering a career in a field related to disarmament and arms control? Is there a marked shortfall of women with the relevant expertise, and if so, why?

Discussions on creating gender-equitable spaces might remain just that unless institutions and structures effectively implement policies to this end.

This calls for greater investment in resources to empower women through institutions and structures at the international, regional and national levels. It also requires policies that contribute to women’s education in peace and security; building women’s capacities in technical and male-dominated positions; and developing women as arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation experts.

There is a different kind of ‘WMD’ on the rise, namely women missing in disarmament. While this is not a weapon, it is destructive and it causes a dearth of gender equality. Evidence of the use of nuclear weapons – in Japan and from nuclear weapons testing, for example – shows that the humanitarian impact of such weapons affect women and men differently. The biological, psychological and social effects of the use of nuclear weapons, for example, affect women more than they do men. If a world free of nuclear weapons is to be achieved with any kind of legitimacy, this must happen in a way where the voices of women and men are heard equally. https://www.issafrica.org/iss-today/in-the-debate-towards-nuclear-disarmament-where-are-all-the-women

Mothepa Shadung, Junior Researcher, Transnational Threats and International Crime Division, ISS Pretoria

August 31, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, women