Breaking Barriers

Breaking Barriers: Women's Fight for Inclusion in the Male-Dominated National Security Sector

By Dr Allan Britton

Introduction

The national security sector has traditionally been male-dominated, with a limited representation of women in leadership positions, even though women's efforts to fight for inclusion, gender diversity, and the unique perspectives and skills that women bring to the table have often been overlooked in this sector. According to a report by the Wilson Centre, women only make up 24% of the US national security sector workforce. Similar trends can be seen globally, where women remain underrepresented in leadership positions within national security agencies. This paper explores women's participation in the national security sector, their challenges, and the progress made in recent years.

Current State of Women's Participation in the National Security Sector

The underrepresentation of women in the national security sector is evident globally. A report by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research shows that women make up only 22% of the workforce in the nuclear sector. This low representation is concerning, given that the nuclear sector is critical to national security. Women's absence in the nuclear sector is also evident in leadership positions. A James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies study found that women only make up 14% of nuclear experts in international organizations.

The challenges that women face in the national security sector are multifaceted. Discrimination and gender bias are pervasive, making it challenging for women to advance in their careers. Women are often subjected to stereotypes and prejudices, undermining their skills and qualifications. They are also more likely to experience harassment and abuse in the workplace, which further exacerbates their challenges.

Progress Made in Recent Years

Efforts to increase women's participation in national security have gained momentum in recent years. In the United States, the Biden administration has committed to increasing diversity in the national security workforce. The administration has set a target to increase the number of women in leadership positions, provide mentorship programs, and address women's challenges in the sector.

The nuclear sector has also made some progress in increasing women's participation. For instance, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been working towards increasing gender parity in the nuclear sector. The agency has established a policy to increase the number of women in leadership positions to 35% by 2025. The IAEA also provides training programs and mentorship opportunities for women in the nuclear sector.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and advocacy groups have also been working towards increasing women's participation in the national security sector. For instance, the Women of Colour Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) provides mentorship, training, and networking opportunities for women of color in the national security sector. The organization aims to address the underrepresentation of women of color in this sector and promote their leadership.

The Risks of Excluding Women from the National Security Sector

Excluding women from the national security sector has significant risks. One of the most significant risks is that policies and decisions may not reflect the diverse perspectives and experiences of the population. Women bring unique perspectives and expertise to the table, and their exclusion from policymaking can lead to policies that must be more inclusive and address the needs of all people.

In the nuclear sector, excluding women from policymaking can also have severe consequences. Women's absence in this sector can undermine nuclear security. Research has shown that gender diversity in nuclear decision-making can lead to better decision-making outcomes. When women are involved in decision-making, they bring a different perspective that can challenge groupthink and promote critical thinking. Women can also get valuable expertise in areas such as safety and security, which can improve nuclear policy.

Moreover, excluding women from the national security sector perpetuates gender stereotypes and biases. When women are excluded from this sector, it sends a message that they are

Gender stereotypes and biases also create a hostile environment for women in the national security sector. Women who enter this sector often face gender-based discrimination, harassment, and abuse. According to a study by the RAND Corporation, nearly 70% of women in the US military have reported experiencing sexual harassment, discrimination, or assault during their service. These experiences significantly impact women's mental health and well-being and can also have implications for their career advancement.

Moreover, the lack of diversity in the national security sector can have significant implications for national security itself. The world today is complex, and threats are multifaceted. Policies and decisions that are made without considering the perspectives and experiences of diverse groups can lead to blind spots and unintended consequences. For example, in conflicts where women and children are the most affected, it is essential to have female voices represented in decision-making processes.

Nuclear Security and Women's Participation

Nuclear security is an area of national security that requires particular attention to gender diversity. Nuclear weapons and materials pose a significant threat to global security, and ensuring their security requires a wide range of expertise and perspectives. Women's participation in nuclear security ensures that policies and decisions are inclusive, effective, and sustainable.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recognizes the importance of gender diversity in nuclear security and has taken steps to increase women's participation in this area. The IAEA's Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, for example, includes a commitment to advancing the participation of women in nuclear science and technology. The IAEA has also established a Women in Nuclear (WiN) program, which aims to promote gender diversity and the role of women in the nuclear industry.

Despite these efforts, women remain underrepresented in nuclear security. According to a Nuclear Threat Initiative report, women comprise only 22% of the nuclear security workforce globally. Women are also underrepresented in leadership positions within this sector. For example, women comprise only 12% of the senior leadership in the Department of Energy's nuclear security enterprise in the United States.

The challenges women face in the nuclear security sector are similar to those encountered in other areas of national security. These challenges include discrimination, gender bias, lack of mentorship opportunities, and limited recognition of their achievements. Women in this sector also face additional challenges related to the technical nature of the work and the perception that nuclear security is a male-dominated field.

Efforts to increase women's participation in nuclear security must be multifaceted and address the unique challenges women face in this area. Some of the actions that can be undertaken include increasing the representation of women in leadership positions, providing mentorship opportunities, and creating a more inclusive and welcoming work environment. NGOs such as WiN can play a vital role in these efforts by providing networking opportunities, training, and mentorship for women in nuclear security.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while progress has been made recently, women's participation in the national security sector remains low and faces significant challenges. Women's participation in leadership positions is even lower, which limits their ability to shape policies and decisions in this sector. The risks of excluding women from the national security sector are significant, and efforts to increase their participation are essential to ensure that policies and decisions reflect the diverse perspectives and experiences of the population. Non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, and government initiatives play an essential role in creating an enabling environment that promotes gender diversity and supports women's advancement in this sector.

Furthermore, nuclear security is a crucial component of national security, and it is essential to recognize the importance of gender diversity and inclusion in this area. The risks of nuclear weapons and materials falling into the wrong hands are too great to ignore. Including women in this sector can bring new perspectives and expertise to ensure effective and inclusive policies and decision-making. Additionally, women's involvement in nuclear security can help to break down gender stereotypes and biases and create a more inclusive environment for all.

In conclusion, it is time for the national security sector to recognize the value of gender diversity and to take concrete steps to increase women's participation in all aspects of this field, including nuclear security. This can only be achieved by addressing women's challenges, providing mentorship and networking opportunities, and creating an enabling environment that supports their advancement. By doing so, we can ensure that our national security policies and decisions are inclusive and effective and that the risks associated with excluding women from this sector are mitigated.

References:

K. Patel, "Women in National Security: The Need for Greater Representation and Inclusion," Council on Foreign Relations, Jan. 2021. https://www.cfr.org/article/women-national-security-need-greater-representation-and-inclusion

L. Shepherd and E. Boer, "Women in nuclear security: closing the gender gap," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, vol. 75, no. 3, pp. 150-155, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/00963402.2019.1602322

M. Wardak, "Women, peace and security: the challenges of inclusion and implementation," International Affairs, vol. 94, no. 1, pp. 51-69, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiy191

E. Lynch and M. Meyer, "Gender and National Security," Wilson Center, Mar. 2019. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/gender_and_national_security_-_final.pdf

UN Women, "Women and Security Sector Reform," United Nations, 2019. https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2019/2/women-and-security-sector-reform-guidebook-en.pdf?la=en&vs=3227

Women in International Security, "About WIIS," WIIS Global. https://www.wiisglobal.org/about-wiis/