Definition of the issue
Gender‑based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts directed at individuals because of their gender, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. In military and security contexts, this encompasses sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, whether committed by or against personnel during operations, or within the institution itself, or against civilians (internally displaced persons, migrants) by criminal and armed groups, or other civilians in an area of operations.
GBV matters in both domestic and operational settings. On missions, personnel often interact with displaced or vulnerable civilian populations. Pre‑existing inequalities, family separations, and social disruption can increase the risk of gendered harm in these environments. Understanding who may be most at risk and why allows forces to operate responsibly, maintain trust with local communities, and support mission credibility. Recognizing how gendered harms arise in training, deployments, or daily institutional life is essential for ensuring your organization remains a safe and effective for personnel and the communities they serve. Addressing GBV across both internal and operational contexts strengthens legitimacy and supports long‑term mission success.
Many organizations now recognize that how they address GBV is central to operational effectiveness, institutional integrity, and human security. Commitments under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and NATO guidelines have driven the integration of gender perspectives into planning, the deployment of Gender Advisors (GENADs), and the use of tools like Gender‑Based Analysis (GBA+) to identify and understands risks like GBV and Child Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) during military operations.
Operationally, awareness about GBV has become particularly important in stability, peace support, and HADR missions. Evacuation operations and disaster responses often involve interacting with populations where women, youth, or other groups are disproportionately vulnerable. Mismanagement or failure to protect civilians can damage mission legitimacy and erode trust with host nations or civilian partners. Military forces themselves must avoid becoming sources of harm, as incidents of sexual exploitation or abuse in international operations have long‑term strategic and political consequences.
Current status and related challenges
Many organizations now recognize that how they address GBV is central to operational effectiveness, institutional integrity, and human security. Commitments under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and NATO guidelines have driven the integration of gender perspectives into planning, the deployment of Gender Advisors (GENADs), and the use of tools like Gender‑Based Analysis (GBA+) to identify and understands risks like GBV and Child Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) during military operations.
Operationally, awareness about GBV has become particularly important in stability, peace support, and HADR missions. Evacuation operations and disaster responses often involve interacting with populations where women, youth, or other groups are disproportionately vulnerable. Mismanagement or failure to protect civilians can damage mission legitimacy and erode trust with host nations or civilian partners. Military forces themselves must avoid becoming sources of harm, as incidents of sexual exploitation or abuse in international operations have long‑term strategic and political consequences.
Key challenges in addressing gender‑based violence include persistent underreporting and stigma, as survivors (both within the force or in deployment areas) often face cultural and institutional barriers to coming forward. Limited training and cultural resistance mean many personnel lack the awareness or skills to recognize and respond to subtle forms of GBV, particularly in complex operational settings. Competing mission priorities and unclear mandates can prevent timely prevention or response, especially during HADR operations where military and civilian responsibilities overlap. Overcoming these challenges requires sustained education, visible leadership commitment, and integrated approaches that connect institutional culture, operational planning, and engagement with civilian partners.
Evolving perceptions of the issue
Over the past two decades, security thinking on gender‑based violence has shifted from treating it as a peripheral or disciplinary matter to recognizing it as a core factor that needs to be considered to ensure operational success and institutional health. Sexual violence, once framed as an unfortunate by‑product of conflict, is now widely understood as a tactic of war with strategic implications. This evolution was accelerated by UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and expanded to consider institutional dynamics by internal reviews in Canada such as the Deschamps Report (2015) and Arbour Review (2022), which revealed how GBV undermines credibility, retention, and the moral authority of the force.
Looking ahead to 2040, GBV prevention and response may become increasingly integrated into military education, operations, and leadership practice, though the pace of change will depend on institutional priorities and political will. Scenario‑based training and more sophisticated data collection could enable leaders to identify risk patterns earlier and respond more effectively. Partnerships with civilian and international actors could be expanded and survivor‑centred approaches may become more deeply embedded in personnel management and operational planning. If these trends materialize, they would strengthen the understanding that addressing GBV is not only a moral and legal imperative but also a critical factor in mission effectiveness and human security.
Further Reading