A Closer Look at the Intersection of Gender and Security

Mar 31, 2022 | Deseri Tsepetis
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While there has been progress in advancing civil rights and visibility for women and transgender folks, there is a long way to go to build a safe and secure world for all. Last week’s episode of Ploughshares Fund’s Press the Button podcast commemorated Women's History Month, International Women’s Day, and International Transgender Visibility Day by addressing this issue head on. 

Co-host Michelle Dover sat down with Dr. Alexi Drew and Anuradha Damale to discuss what security means, how it affects those with intersectional identities, and what needs to change in our institutions.

As demonstrated by recent global events—COVID-19, protests for racial justice, and more—the definition of “security” has broadened in the collective consciousness to equally reference human security. Anuradha Damale, a policy fellow at the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), sees the most relevant facets as “individual security as people and as citizens. Whether that be climate security, food security, economic security … then also the security of being able to exist as who you are.” This is a noted change from the traditionally held definition of security that focuses on military-based threats, and it is one that is needed in order to address urgent challenges.

Damale remarks that people are taught that “the ultimate aim of the government is the security of its citizens.” However, she asks, “who decides that? Why does that decision live with a small group of people who don't take into account the views of the people who they are trying to keep secure?” This question of power shows why advocating for those with intersectional identities is so important.