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SEESAC Updates Gender Strategy to Align with UNDP Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2029

In August 2026, SEESAC updated its Gender Strategy to show its ongoing commitment to gender equality in all areas of small arms and light weapons (SALW) control and security sector reform. The updated strategy, which aligns with the newly adopted UNDP Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2029, will guide SEESAC’s work through 2030.

For over twenty years, SEESAC has led efforts to show how firearms and armed violence affect women, men, girls, and boys differently. SEESAC has developed research and guidelines on gender perspectives in SALW control and security sector reform that have influenced policy and practice both regionally and internationally.

SEESAC consistently promotes the integration of gender considerations in security policies and practices across South-East and East Europe, ensuring that these efforts are grounded in solid evidence. By working closely with security sector partners, especially ministries of interior and defence in the Western Balkans, SEESAC has supported gender-responsive reforms and helped build skills for gender mainstreaming in SALW control.

The updated strategy builds on SEESAC’s past work and addresses new challenges and changing priorities in gender equality and security. The SEESAC Gender Strategy is a flexible framework that will be reviewed every year to stay relevant and in line with UNDP policies and global commitments on gender equality, peace, and security.

The strategy focuses on five main goals:

  • Strengthening institutional capacities to mainstream gender perspectives in security governance and SALW control.
  • Promoting equal participation, leadership, and representation within security institutions.
  • Expanding research, analysis, and knowledge-sharing on the links between gender and security.
  • Deepening partnerships and engagement with civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
  • Enhancing SEESAC's internal expertise and organisational capacity on gender-responsive approaches to security challenges.

The updated document also highlights the importance of innovation and looking ahead. It includes a horizon-scanning goal focused on building partnerships and encouraging innovative approaches that support human security in a fast-changing world.

The strategy guides all SEESAC personnel in including gender considerations in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. It is also a key resource for onboarding new team members aimed at helping to understand the gendered aspects in SALW control and security sector reform.

By updating its Gender Strategy, SEESAC shows its ongoing commitment to making gender equality a key part of effective and sustainable SALW control.

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