About SecurityWomen

Established in 2015, SecurityWomen is an advocacy and research organisation promoting the full and equal inclusion of women in security sector institutions and organisations worldwide, from the military, police and private security to defence policy, intelligence and cybersecurity.

SecurityWomen exists at a moment of profound global transformation. Security challenges are evolving faster than ever – shaped by rapid technological change, the emergence of new conflicts and unconventional methods of warfare, the rise of populist politics and strongman leadership, and the continued spread of violent extremism and terrorism. These dynamics are not only reshaping how security is defined and practiced, but also who gets to participate in shaping it.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda has never been more critical. Evidence consistently shows that inclusive security processes – where women meaningfully participate at all levels – lead to more durable peace, more effective conflict prevention, and more resilient communities. Yet women remain under-represented in decision-making spaces, particularly in security-focused professions. Women face enduring social, economic and political barriers to working in security sector institutions – especially in emerging domains such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and hybrid warfare, where the rules are still being written.

SecurityWomen works to address this gap. It recognises that contemporary security challenges—ranging from crime to conflict and terrorism—cannot be effectively addressed without women’s active participation. Women must be equal partners not only in protecting citizens, but also in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and decision-making. By fostering collaboration and elevating diverse expertise, we aim to ensure that responses to today’s complex threats are not only more inclusive, but also more innovative and effective.

In a world where instability is increasingly interconnected and unpredictable, advancing women’s leadership in security is not optional – it is essential.

‍

‍

Mission

To advance the equal inclusion of women across all areas of the security sector.

Objectives

Provide accessible, evidence-based information, and promote the public awareness of, women’s roles and representation in security institutions, including the police and the military, drawing on academic research, policy reports, and media analysis.

‍

• To conduct an examination of the barriers to women’s progress, from how to attract more women to join the military and police, to how to develop a professional working environment free from gender discrimination, and in which women seek to remain employed.
• To highlight learning and development practices within the security sector and the use of gender-sensitive training for all.
• To gather information on women’s role in peacekeeping, and their position in conflict negotiations and efforts in peacebuilding. To seek to evaluate women’s contribution and progress towards equality of representation within UN peacekeeping forces.

Background

Gender-responsive security is increasingly recognised as essential to sustainable peace and development. Conflict undermines development, and women play a critical role in preventing violence and rebuilding societies. Yet women remain significantly under-represented in security institutions and decision-making processes worldwide.

Changing forms of conflict – including cyber warfare and remote technologies – further weaken outdated arguments excluding women from military and security roles. Despite this, security institutions often remain shaped by traditionally masculine norms, limiting meaningful gender inclusion.

International frameworks, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325, emphasise the importance of women’s participation in peace and security efforts. However, progress remains slow. Women continue to make up a small proportion of police and military personnel in UN peacekeeping missions, largely due to national-level barriers in recruitment and advancement.

Closing this gap requires systemic change: increasing women’s participation at all levels, strengthening leadership pathways, and embedding gender equality in security policy and practice. Global commitments – such as the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16 on inclusive institutions – offer an opportunity to accelerate this progress, but stronger implementation is needed.

‍

‍Global Board of Trustees                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Barbara Cleary - Chair                                                

Suzanne Concannon - Treasurer

Rachel Grimes MBE                                                                         

Ed Humpherson                                                                

Terri McNerney

Ulrike Theurerkauf (on sabbatical)

US Directors:

Celisa Lehew

‍Ronald Quejas-Risdon

James Geer - legal advisor

‍

Executive

Dr Juliet Colman, former President of UNIFEM UK (now UN Women UK), and UN Representative of NAWO (National Alliance of Women’s Organisations) UK, is the Director and founder of SecurityWomen

‍R

‍Research Associates: ‍

‍Florina-Marieta Neagu

Laura-Jane Watkins

Stephanie Wild

Yumna Azeez  

Stepanka Stastnikova

Cheryl Illingworth

Augustine Aboh

Winnie Gatsinzi

Joy Tumwebaze

Robinah Najjingo

Tanvi Joglekar

Henry Coker

Nenpo Adelabu

Natalie Griffin

Phoebe Nicholls

Amber Anderson

Ane Mathieson

Bosede Akinbolusere

Vivian Chang

Getrude Dyabene

Nancy Gray

‍

‍Past members of the team at SecurityWomen:

We would like to give huge thanks for the valuable support given to SecurityWomen in the past by:

Setenay Mutlu Adisonmez               Rebecca Manson

Andrea Tuemmler                                  Isabelle Regent

Mariana Terreros Lozano                  Lucy Ramsden

Anniesa Hussain                                     Asia Donati

Lucy Hall                                                        Mercedes Galeano

Christine Hanoman

Lydia Walker

Zehra Sami

Caroline Kinsella

Nabila Ferdous

Felix Dixey

Mari Maldal

Brenna Salkin

Tyler Eyre

Casey-Ann Diepeveen

Emily Dixon

Stella Eleftheriadou‍

Maureen Shabangu

Amelia Hood

Alice Macloed

Natasha Chavez

Wes Widjonarko

Caroline Pinder

Laura Mitton

Woraphat Ditpan

Jolie Pont

R

R

‍