In the aftermath of conflict, one of the key priorities of a new administration is to rebuild and reform the security sector, particularly in places where security services themselves present a threat to the restoration of order. Security sector reform (SSR) combines principles of development, rule of law, good governance and local ownership to restore effective domestic security.
Security sector reform typically involves defining a country’s long-term security needs and vision; conducting an audit of existing security sector institutions, laws, policies and capacities; identifying structural issues, discriminatory practices and other barriers to meeting state security requirements; and developing a plan to bridge the gap between what exists and what is needed to provide effective security.
In broad terms, SSR operations fall into four categories:
SSR programmes can be a vital element towards strengthening local ownership of peacebuilding processes, by providing governing actors with an opportunity to engage local populations in identifying and shaping effective security services. This process can help to transform post-conflict institutions into credible forces, on which local populations rely for effective security.
Reform of the security sector can be crucial to building and restoring women’s trust in security actors during peacebuilding. One particular example of a security concern for women is the risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Addressing this issue involves a broad set of reforms, for example excluding ex-combatants who are known to have committed sexual violence from security sector positions; establishing specialized police units for investigating sexual and gender-based violence crimes; recruiting more women into the security sector; strengthening the capacity of health services to collect forensic evidence; and providing legal services to victims.
In addition to such specific measures, gender perspectives must also be integrated into broader policy-making processes, like the development of national security policies, peace agreements, codes of conduct, and the strategies of donors and international organizations.
UN Women participates in the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Security Sector Reform, which works to develop a coherent system-wide approach to SSR and provide guidance on good practices. Through the task force, UN Women has advocated for the inclusion of gender perspectives in all SSR processes, and supported research on women as participants and stakeholders in SSR.
Examples of UN Women’s work at the country level: