The workshop focused on promoting equality and innovation in international cooperation and capacity building in the nuclear field. It featured expert presentations and open discussions covering a range of approaches to training and technical cooperation.

Citation: UNIDIR and VCDNP, “Promoting equality and innovation in the nuclear field: Workshop report”, UNIDIR, Geneva, 2025.

The post Promoting Equality and Innovation in the Nuclear Field: Workshop Report first appeared on UNIDIR.

This toolkit offers practical explanations of how the WPS and arms control/disarmament policy and programming fields are mutually reinforcing, to help demystify these fields and facilitate their integration. It includes dozens of examples and ideas to integrate arms control and disarmament measures into WPS NAPs. Although the examples and suggestions are non-exhaustive, they can serve as references to inspire action on WPS projects and programmes.

Citation: Myrttinen, Henri, Anastaesia Mondesir, and Mariana Terreros Lozano. Toolkit: Addressing Weapons-Related Risks in Women, Peace, and Security National Action Plans. Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR, 2025.

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It analyses 197 National Action Plans on WPS, adopted by 106 States and territories between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2024. In doing so, it demonstrates the relevance of arms control and disarmament to the four pillars of the WPS Agenda: prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls and violations of their rights, the protection of women and girls and of their rights, full and meaningful participation of women in all areas of peace and security, as well as post-conflict and post-crisis relief and recovery.

Citation: Myrttinen, Henri, Anastaesia Mondesir, and Mariana Terreros Lozano. Closing Gaps: Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security Agenda through Arms Control and Disarmament. Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR, 2025.

The post Closing Gaps: Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security Agenda through Arms Control and Disarmament first appeared on UNIDIR.

This year, with the agenda turning 25, the factsheet provides ideas around how AI represents an opportunity and an obstacle for its realization. It also presents an analysis of the current state of the integration of emerging technologies like AI within WPS national and regional action plans.

The factsheet concludes by proposing further areas of action to better include AI in the WPS Agenda, making it fit for purpose amidst changing realities around peace and conflict.

Citation: Shimona Mohan (2025) “Factsheet: Artificial Intelligence and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

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This publication identifies potential actions that would align victim assistance with each of the four pillars of the WPS Agenda. It draws on a literature review and analysis of ongoing victim assistance programmes to show that greater synergy between these policy areas is not only possible but highly desirable, as it can reinforce the implementation of both the WPS Agenda and the APMBC.

Citation: Bénédicte Santoire, “New Directions for the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention: Connecting Victim Assistance with the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda”, UNIDIR, Geneva, 2025.

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This report provides an overview of recent research on the correlation between harm from exposure to ionizing radiation and biological sex. Additionally, it proposes questions for a future research agenda covering gender, radiation impacts and radiological protection standards.

Citation: Amanda M. Nichols, Mary Olson, ‘Gender and Ionizing Radiation: Towards a New Research Agenda Addressing Disproportionate Harm’, UNIDIR, Geneva, 2024.

*Note: The caption for “Figure 2: Cancer incidence by 100,000 by age at time of exposure” should have stated “Exposure rate (0.1 Gy)” per table 12D-1, NAS, 2006, Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VII). This report has been updated and corrected as of 29 August 2025.

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Al examinar documentos políticos oficiales, las autoras buscan comprender si los enfoques de género en las políticas exteriores en América Latina y el Caribe abordan vínculos relevantes entre la igualdad de género, el desarme nuclear y el ambiente, y cómo lo hacen.

Las autoras concluyen con propuestas para fortalecer el liderazgo de América Latina y el Caribe en este campo, incluso fomentando el diálogo Sur-Sur sobre desarme nuclear e igualdad de género.

Citation: María Pía Devoto; Mariel R. Lucero Baigorria; Ana Levintan. Política exterior, género, desarme nuclear y ambiente: perspectivas desde el Sur, UNIDIR, Geneva, 2024.

The post Política exterior, género, desarme nuclear y ambiente: Perspectivas desde el Sur first appeared on UNIDIR.

This factsheet outlines direct and reverberating impacts of those weapons and how they vary among women, men, girls and boys. It also offers concrete ideas to mainstream gender considerations in discussions on explosive weapons and in initiatives to protect civilians.

Citation: UNIDIR Gender and Disarmament Programme (2024), “Gendered Impacts of the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas”, Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR.

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Building on decades of work by gender scholars, women’s rights organizations and nuclear disarmament advocates, the papers explore gendered and intersectional dimensions of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, including: demographic diversity among policy communities; justice claims of nuclear survivors; gender gaps in public opinion on nuclear weapons; feminist foreign policies in Latin America and the Caribbean; and synergies between nuclear treaties and gender equality frameworks.

UNIDIR hopes that the analyses presented here will represent a springboard for new and inclusive efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

Citation: Renata H. Dalaqua (ed.) (2024). “From the Margins to the Mainstream: Advancing Intersectional Gender Analysis of Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

The post From the Margins to the Mainstream: Advancing Intersectional Gender Analysis of Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament first appeared on UNIDIR.

As the OAP enters its final year of implementation, this report provides an overview of the implementation of action points covering gender, diversity, and inclusion, with the intention to assess its impact and reflect on the way forward. Drawing on official reporting and statements made by States Parties, as well as on a survey conducted with key actors in mine action, this report outlines instances of progress achieved regarding gender and diversity mainstreaming, as well as challenges and areas for improvement that could be addressed in the next Action Plan.

Citation: Renata H. Dalaqua, Paula Jou Fuster and Hana Salama (2023) “Beyond Oslo: Taking Stock of Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

The post Beyond Oslo: Taking Stock of Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention first appeared on UNIDIR.

Citation: UNIDIR and GICHD (2023) “Gender and Diversity in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC)”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

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The resource also provides ideas to achieve progress in gender and diversity mainstreaming, in line with the CCM Lausanne Action Plan. 

Citation: International Gender Champions Disarmament Impact Group & Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (2023) “Gender and Diversity in the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)”

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This research seeks to fill this gap by exploring the links between the proliferation of weapons, particularly Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and CRSV and by proposing an arms control and disarmament toolbox that can be leveraged to prevent CRSV at all stages of a conflict.

In addition to supporting short-term and long-term prevention of CRSV, a gender-responsive implementation of the proposed toolbox can contribute to changing gender norms and attitudes by promoting women’s participation in decision-making about security issue – including arms control and disarmament, which has traditionally been a male-dominated field – thereby addressing structural gender inequality, a root cause of CRSV.

Citation: Hana Salama (2023) “Addressing Weapons in Conflict Related Sexual Violence: The Arms control and Disarmament Toolbox”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

Sponsor Organizations: Canada, Germany, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.

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This report analyses submissions received by UNIDIR from 40 organisations around the world. It examines practices that are being implemented to support women’s participation and promote gender diversity, equality, and inclusion in conventional arms control. In particular, the report showcases five best practices that are having a positive impact: Equality directives in public administration; Work arrangements to balance family life; SMART goals and indicators; Panel parity pledges; and Gender-sensitive communication.

Citation: Renata H. Dalaqua, Manaved Nambiar and Hana Salama (2023) “Best Practices for Gender
Equality in Conventional Arms Control: Survey Results”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

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This data may be useful to governments, UN and NGO partners working in the region to bolster their community outreach and messaging around reintegration programmes. The data presented herein are unique in that they were collected in an ongoing conflict context, while reintegration is actively ongoing and communities in and around are receiving ex-associates of Boko Haram and other armed groups. 

The report ends with an examination of key policy and programmatic implications of these findings.

Citation: Zoe Marks, Fatima Yetcha Ajimi Badu, and Rebecca Littman (2023). “Understanding Receptivity to Returning Former Boko Haram Associates Through a Gender Lens,” Findings Report 30, UNIDIR, Geneva, https://doi.org/10.37559/MEAC/23/04

The post Understanding Receptivity to Returning Former Boko Haram Associates Through a Gender Lens (Findings Report 30) first appeared on UNIDIR.

El trabajo analiza los vínculos entre los temas prioritarios de MPS – la igualdad de género, la participación de las mujeres en la seguridad internacional, la prevención de la violencia contra las mujeres y su protección y las necesidades diferenciadas por el género – y la ciberseguridad internacional. También identifica las áreas prioritarias que deben abordarse para garantizar un ciberespacio inclusivo en cuanto al género y que proteja los derechos de las mujeres y niñas.

Citation: Lisa Sharland, Netta Goussac, Emilia Currey, Genevieve Feely, and Sarah O’Connor (2023) “Actualización del Sistema: Hacia una Agenda de Mujeres, Paz y Ciberseguridad”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

The post Actualización del Sistema: Hacia una Agenda de Mujeres, Paz y Ciberseguridad first appeared on UNIDIR.

En cada uno de estos tres pilares, la investigación identifica diferentes dimensiones de las actividades relacionadas con la ciberseguridad que tienen implicaciones de género y que, en consecuencia, se deben considerar desde una perspectiva de género.

El informe propone recomendaciones para incorporar la visión de género mediante políticas y prácticas internacionales de ciberseguridad, de modo que se garantice que la ciberseguridad mejora la seguridad de las personas de todas las identidades y expresiones de género, además de la paz y seguridad internacional. La principal conclusión es que estos dos niveles de seguridad no pueden ser separados.

Citation: Katharine Miller, James Shires and Tatiana Tropina (2023) “Enfoques de Género en la Ciberseguridad: Diseño, Defensa y Respuesta”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

The post Enfoques de Género en la Ciberseguridad: Diseño, Defensa y Respuesta first appeared on UNIDIR.

Citation: UNIDIR and Control Arms (2022) “Factsheet: Gender and the Arms Trade Treaty”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

The post Factsheet: Gender and the Arms Trade Treaty first appeared on UNIDIR.

Il repose sur une analyse quantitative et des entretiens avec des praticiens, et offre une vue d’ensemble de la participation des femmes au contrôle technique des armes, y compris les principaux défis ainsi que les bonnes pratiques pour favoriser l’égalité des sexes dans ce domaine.

En fournissant des connaissances et des idées en vue d’améliorer la participation significative des femmes dans la GAM, le rapport cherche à débloquer les opportunités professionnelles pour les femmes dans le domaine et à transformer les relations de pouvoir et de genre non seulement entre les individus, mais également au niveau institutionnel, ce qui constitue un aspect fondamental en vue d’atteindre une véritable égalité des sexes.

Teaser: Perspectives pour accroître la participation significative des femmes en matière de gestion des armes et des munitions

Sponsor Organizations: Gouvernements d’Allemagne, d’Irlande, de Norvège, d’Espagne, de Suède et du Royaume-Uni.

Citation: Hana Salama and Emma Bjertén-Günther (2022) “Gestion des Armes par les Femmes”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

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TRANSLATIONS

• English: Factsheet: Arab Women in International Security and Disarmament

Gender and Disarmament Programme, and Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zone Project (2022) “المرأة العربية في مجال الأمن الدولي ونزع السلاح (Arab Women in International Security and Disarmament)”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

The post المرأة العربية في مجال الأمن الدولي ونزع السلاح first appeared on UNIDIR.

How do weapons proliferation and misuse affect different groups of society in South and South East Asia? How do gender norms impact how weapons are seen and used in the region? How can we ensure that arms control and disarmament processes address these gender perspectives and become more effective in responding to gender-based threats?

These were some of the main questions guiding the discussions at a regional workshop organised by UNIDIR with participants from South and South East Asia. Drawing on the expertise and experience of diplomats, military officers, civil society practitioners and academics, this report offers ideas to promote gender perspectives in arms control and increase women’s participation in international security.

Citation: Renata H. Dalaqua, Shimona Mohan and Hana Salama (2021) “Gender Perspectives on Arms
Control and Disarmament: Views from South and South East Asia”, Workshop Report, UNIDIR,
Geneva.

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Drawing on research in ethical AI, the report outlines avenues for countering bias and mitigating harm, including a gender-based review of military applications of AI. In doing so, it seeks to chart a path for technology development that promotes – rather than hinders – gender equity and contributes to gender mainstreaming in the military. 

Citation: Katherine Chandler (2021) “Does Military AI Have Gender? Understanding Bias and Promoting Ethical Approaches in Military Applications of AI”, UNIDIR, Geneva, https://doi.org/10.37559/GEN/2021/04.

The post Does Military AI Have Gender? Understanding Bias and Promoting Ethical Approaches in Military Applications of AI first appeared on UNIDIR.

Citation: Gender and Disarmament Programme (2021) “Factsheet: Gender and Chemical Weapons”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

The post Factsheet: Gender and Chemical Weapons first appeared on UNIDIR.

It presents findings on gender roles and stereotypes in Colombia, gendered attitudes towards the use of different types of violence, and gendered experiences of fear of ex-combatants.

This data may be useful to government, UN, and NGO partners working in Colombia to support their policies and programming to break down gender inequalities and ensure a gendered approach to reconciliation in Colombia, including through implementation of the 2016 peace agreement between the Government and the FARC-EP.

This publication can also be downloaded from the UNU-CPR website

Citation: Cristal Downing, Ángela Olaya and Sofía Rivas (2021) “The Gendered Dynamics of Conflict and Peacebuilding in Colombia “, MEAC Findings Report 11, United Nations University, New York.

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