INCLUSIVE SECURITY: STRENGTHENING OPERATIONS THROUGH GENDER AWARENESS

The role of women in defence and security has, over the years, shifted from a peripheral consideration to a core strategic imperative. Driven by international frameworks, most notably United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325(2000) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), governments and international organisations increasingly recognise that global security cannot be achieved or sustained without the equal participation of women.

In recognition of this perspective, the Executive Committee of the Women Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network, led by the Chairperson, General Charles Muriu Kahariri organised for a side event on the Network in the sidelines of the 81St session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York under the theme, Inclusive Security: Strengthening Operations through Gender Awareness. The side event which was held on 25 September 2026 brought together participants who voiced the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms for gender mainstreaming within the security sector. The event attracted over 60 delegates drawn from 36 countries.

While officially opening the event the Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, Ms. Roseline Kathure Njogu, pointed out that the United Nations had provided powerful frameworks which recognise the indispensable role of women in peace and security. She noted that the Ministry of Defence have developed which are key in advancing Women Peace and Security, thereby moving the agenda beyond simply increasing the number of women, but through integrating gender perspectives into military planning, leadership, training and operations.

She hailed the event as an opportunity to bring the existence of the Women Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network to the global limelight, noting that several upcoming events have been scheduled. She closed the event by thanking the founders of the Women Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network and other stakeholders who took part in the event.

The Head of the Kenya Defence Forces Delegation, Major General Edward Rugendo who represented and spoke on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Forces and Chairperson of the Women, Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network (WPS CHODs), General Charles Kahariri, indicated that military forces operate among diverse populations, where men, women, boys and girls may experience conflict, insecurity and humanitarian crises differently.

He noted that recognising these differences, commanders and personnel able to better understand the operating environment, identify emerging risks, engage communities effectively and make informed operational decisions.
“The Women, Peace and Security agenda, anchored in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions, calls upon us to ensure the meaningful participation of women in peace and security processes in order to strengthen the protection of civilians, among them women and girls affected by conflict,” he said.

He acknowledged that achieving these objectives requires military leaders to play a critical role in translating commitments into institutional practice. This requires leadership that goes beyond policy statements to ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into military doctrine, training, operational planning, intelligence, peace support operations and post-conflict recovery efforts.

Major General Rugendo encouraged members of the network to take an active role in sensitising their respective institutions, networks and partners about the network, its objectives and its importance. He also challenged non-members to consider becoming part of the important and growing initiative.

Towards the end of the event, Major General Edward Rugendo took the opportunity to welcome new members to the Network which include the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Namibia. He also thanked the Executive Committee of the Women Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network for supporting the event thus making it a success.
The immediate former Chairperson of the Network and the Ex-Officio member of the Executive Committee, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces was represented by Colonel Mark Hearns, the Military Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations shared reflections drawn from the Northern Ireland peacebuilding experience and underlined the value of WPS action plans, the importance of continued training, analysis of the differentiated effects of conflict, and institutional arrangements that support work–life balance. The central message was that women are powerful agents of peace and resilience and that military leadership must protect progress already achieved while adapting to changing operational realities.

Several speakers at the event led by Lieutenant General Cheryl Pearce, the Acting Military Adviser at the Office of Military Affairs at the United Nations Headquarters, representatives from the UN Women louded the importance of the Women Peace and Security agenda. A presentation on the Women Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network was delivered by Brigadier Asma Kofa, the Chief of Provost and the Senior Gender Adviser at the Defence Headquarters provided a clear perspective on what the Network is all about and what it is seeking to achieve.

In a separate engagement, the Kenya Defence Forces delegation held fruitful discussions with the Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Ms. Kazumi Ogawa. During the talks, the delegation highlighted that the meeting is an opportunity to build on Kenya’s current leadership of the Chiefs of Defence Forces Women, Peace and Security Network. This includes exploring the establishment of training programmes for female Counter-IED instructors from the WPS CHODs member countries, which would make a practical contribution to enhancing women’s expertise and participation in Counter-IED capacity-building initiatives.