Gender sensitivity in Human security definition

Abstract

Human security is a relatively new concept that emerged to address the modern security threats that cannot be addressed via traditional security approaches. Narrow definition of human security address two main paradigms; Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Wants while broad sense discuss about livelihoods and food security, health, psychosocial wellbeing, enjoyment of civil and political rights and freedom from oppression, and personal safety, in addition to absence of conflict. The actors who are responsible for ensuring Human Security largely neglects gender issues; thus, women as adolescent children, widows, mothers and elderly women face number of difficulties and hardships several environments where protection of Human security becomes significant. The prime reason as believed by researcher is the absence of gender sensitivity of the Human Security Definition. This absence creates practical implementation and strategic policy of Human Security incomplete and ineffective. The aimed research intent to identify if Human security definition has underpinned and had addressed the importance of including gender sensitivity in Human security concerns thus vulnerability of women has been recognized to provide a better focus and sufficient security for women. The existing definitions of Human security will be analysed in order to understand the gender sensitivity of existing definitions. United Nations definitions, definitions from Academic papers, definitions of governments will be primary taken into the consideration. This will be an explanatory research that tries to identify reasons for absence of gender sensitivity in Human security, plus will be a constructive research as it will recommend how the definition needs to be improved. This study will broaden the definition of Human security, in order to include the gender sensitivity of the approach that will facilitates actors to implement Human security strategies in more effective manner. Also the intellectual mainstreaming of the concept will be enriched as it becomes more integrated and multifaceted with gender studies.