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.

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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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The report traces the evolution of victim assistance interventions over time. It explores how these efforts have been supported through national laws, policies, funding, international cooperation, and systems for monitoring and reporting. In addition, the report examines the current challenges of assisting victims in diverse conflict and post-conflict settings.

It outlines promising practices that promote more inclusive and effective support. The report also identifies priority areas for action that can deliver meaningful change for affected populations, ensuring that victim assistance is sustainable, inclusive and responsive to diverse needs.

Citation: Anna de Courcy Wheeler and Delphine Valette. From Casualties to Care: Implementing Age- and Gender-Sensitive Victim Assistance. Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR, 2025.

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This report introduces a novel approach that not only highlights how existing cyber threats may impact people differently based on gender, but also provides actionable guidance to support more inclusive, equitable cybersecurity governance.

Citation: Katharine Millar and Verónica Ferrari, A Novel Approach to the 11 UN Norms for Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace: Guidelines for Gendered Implementation. (Washington, DC: Organization of American States; Geneva: UNIDIR, 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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It also addresses how biases in LAWS have been discussed at relevant disarmament forums like the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) meetings under the Convention on Certain Convention Weapons (CCW).

The factsheet further recommends areas of action for a host of stakeholders to ensure that gender biases are mitigated in military applications of AI.

Citation: Gender and Disarmament & Security and Technology Programmes (2024) “Factsheet: Gender and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems”, UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.

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Last updated: July 2024

Citation: International Gender Champions Disarmament Impact Group (2024) “Gender & Disarmament Resource Pack”, International Gender Champions Disarmament.

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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.

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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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Citation: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, and Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (2024). “How Do Gender and Diversity Relate to Mine Action?”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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

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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.

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

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Sponsor Organizations: International Gender Champions Disarmament Impact Group (Ireland, Namibia, Philippines)

Citation: International Gender Champions Disarmament Impact Group (2021) “Factsheet: Gender and Biological Weapons”.

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Citation: Gender and Disarmament Programme (2021) “Gendered Impacts of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

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Citation: Katharine Millar, James Shires and Tatiana Tropina (2021) “Gender Approaches to Cybersecurity”, UNIDIR, Geneva. https://doi.org/10.37559/GEN/21/01

Teaser: Design, Defence and Response

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Comment les perspectives de genres influencentelles les mesures de désarmement ? Que peuton faire pour faire progresser l’intégration de la dimension de genre dans les processus de maîtrise des armements ?

Il s’agit de certaines des questions principales qui ont orienté les discussions lors de l’atelier régional organisé par l’UNIDIR à Entebbe, en Ouganda. S’appuyant sur l’expertise et l’expérience de diplomates, d’officiers de l’armée, de praticien(ne)s de la société civile et d’universitaires, ce rapport propose des idées pour promouvoir les perspectives de genre dans la maîtrise des armements ainsi que pour augmenter la participation des femmes dans la sécurité internationale.

Sponsor Organizations: Le programme Genre et Désarmement est soutenu par les gouvernements de l’Allemagne, de l’Espagne, de l’Irlande, de la Norvège, de la Suède et du Royaume-Uni.

Citation: Christine Butegwa (2020) “Perspectives de genre sur la maîtrise des armements et le désarmement”, UNIDIR, Geneva.

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