The National Defence Institute and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) organise on 23 March, between 15:00 and 18:00 (GMT), the international online conference "Gender, Security and Development. Revisiting the Nexus in Turbulent Times".
Climate change, intensified conflicts over scarce resources, shifts in world geopolitics and the resurgence of great power competition are about to make the world a more dangerous place. New and more complex emergencies will challenge our paradigms, institutions, and practices. It is thus more relevant than ever to revisit the nexus between gender, security and development, inquiring about what we have learnt in the past and devise future strategies. The Security-Development nexus approach is based on the recognition that emergency needs are often symptoms of underlying issues that make people and societies vulnerable in the first place - and that a more effective international response needs to do more to address these root causes. In this regard, gender inequalities and discrimination constitute major drivers of vulnerabilities. Women's unequal economic participation can hold back economic growth and recovery. In addition, sexual and gender-based violence can destabilize communities and reduce trust. Thus, attention to gender is essential to the Security and Development Nexus approach. Conversely, women's active societal contribution can serve as a source of resilience and increase the effectiveness of prevention efforts and sustainable peace agreements.This international conference brings together distinguished scholars, practitioners, and decision-makers to both enhance our understanding of the nexus and the strategies to implement gender-sensitive approaches to security and development efforts.
Programme