On 26 November, the Assembly discussed 16 Days of Activism, a global campaign against gender-based violence which highlights how violence against women endangers our societies and undermines the core values of human security. Since 2020, 25 women have been killed in Northern Ireland, with the vast majority being murdered in their own homes. This blog article explores how integrating a human security approach could address limitations in policies tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Northern Ireland.
Human security, rooted in a non-state-centric, bottom-up, and human-focused perspective, prioritises safeguarding individuals and their rights over national protection. Introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1994, this concept emphasises ‘security for people rather than territories, and development rather than arms’.
The UN Commission on Human Security highlights the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms, advancing human rights, and empowering people through effective governance, particularly in post-conflict contexts, to foster lasting peace and stability.
According to the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, its key features include:
- People-centred
- Multi-sectoral
- Comprehensive
- Context-specific
- Prevention-oriented
Drawing on my experience as a humanitarian worker, this blog article will present relevant data on VAWG and analyse the intersection of human security and policy frameworks. While human security as a United Nations proposed framework may have context-specific limitations, such as inconsistent measurable targets, its principles provide an alternative way to approach the complex, interconnected challenges of VAWG. By focusing on individual and community insecurities, this approach seeks to offer inclusive, responsive, and sustainable solutions. To prevent violence against women, the human security approach actively integrates gender perspectives into policies.
The following is a video from the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security which describes what is meant by a human security approach.
Integrating human security in policies addressing VAWG
The UK Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP) (2023-2027) incorporates a human security approach as a framework to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG). Notably, this NAP includes inputs from the Northern Ireland Office, marking the UK’s efforts to address VAWG in domestic policy.
Ending VAWG has been identified as a priority in Northern Ireland’s draft Programme for Government 2024–2027. In September 2024, the Northern Ireland Executive launched its Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls, underpinned by international human rights standards and treaties signed by the UK. A key resolution cited in this Strategy is the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). Adopted in 2000, the WPS agenda highlights women’s role in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding. In its 2019 concluding observations, the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) noted that Northern Ireland’s implementation of UNSCR 1325 is incomplete, particularly regarding challenges posed by paramilitary groups. CEDAW recommended that the Northern Ireland government take steps to ensure women’s participation in post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts.
While the Strategic Framework to End VAWG engages stakeholders across government and society, it has not fully addressed the bottom-up actions needed to address the insecurities of marginalised women, including ethnic minorities and those affected by paramilitary violence. A 2023 report by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland identified the vulnerability of women from ethnic minorities, noting that racism is a persistent issue in their daily lives. Similar concerns have also been raised by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s latest Annual Report in December 2024. Applying human security’s people-centred, context-specific, and prevention-oriented principles could improve the inclusivity and responsiveness of this Strategic Framework. Human security aims to ensure that policies remain focused on the diverse needs of all minority groups. Within international policy and academic discussions on women, peace, and security, the human security approach — prioritising human safety and empowerment — is often considered relevant for protecting civilians and preventing gender-based violence.
Lessons from the field
During my work with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee camps, a refugee volunteer once asked, “Were there any female refugees present in the meeting where you discussed violence against women in the camps?” The absence of refugees, male or female, in these meetings highlighted a gap in current humanitarian policymaking — a gap that also resonates in other contexts, including Northern Ireland.
Between 2018 and 2019, I worked in the camps as an IOM Protection staff for its admin support, data collection and report writing with the gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, and counter-trafficking unit. My PhD fieldwork in the same camp between 2022 to 2023 reveals that security strategies, conflicts, organised crimes, and gender inequalities intersect with VAWG in refugee settings. Female refugees reported multiple insecurities, often involving intimate partners. Many expressed limited trust in camp authorities and police to address their insecurities and systemic power inequalities.
Comparable challenges exist in Northern Ireland, where VAWG occurs within broader contexts of economic deprivation and structural inequalities in a post-conflict setting. A 2022 report found that 79% of women did not report their experiences to the police, highlighting a trust deficit in state mechanisms. Women from marginalised groups — including disabled women, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals —face heightened risks. The Northern Ireland Equality Commission’s 2024 report raised concerns about paramilitary groups gatekeeping funding and marginalising women. These groups often subject women to intimate partner violence, coercion, and surveillance. Female political leaders and grassroots peacebuilders also face intimidation and threats, reflecting systemic violence that intersects with socioeconomic and political insecurities.
The economic cost of VAWG
According to the Strategic Framework to End VAWG, the estimated economic cost of domestic and sexual violence in Northern Ireland ranges from £730 million to £1 billion annually. Addressing these issues requires innovative, context-specific approaches.
Human security’s potential in Northern Ireland
A human security approach could address these interconnected challenges by focusing on individual insecurities, community resilience, and dignity. Collaboration among government, civil society, policymakers, and local communities is essential for developing inclusive, sustainable solutions that prioritise the interconnectedness of threats faced by women and girls. Examples from other countries illustrate the potential of human security in policy implementation. Japan’s human security-informed policies emphasise individual development and protection from widespread threats, while Canada’s approach prioritises ‘freedom from fear’ and security for individuals facing political violence. Developing countries such as Kenya, Mongolia, Nepal, and Paraguay have used human security frameworks to identify barriers preventing vulnerable groups from accessing essential services and economic opportunities.
Opportunities for policy advancement
Although traditional state security is not a devolved issue for the Northern Ireland Assembly, human security’s principles align with its remit. The Women’s Parliament in Northern Ireland provides a platform for addressing issues directly with decision-makers and advising on policy development. Its Gender Equality Strategy recommends lobbying Westminster to implement UNSCR 1325 and ensure women’s participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
The next Women’s Parliament, scheduled for 25 February 2025, offers an opportunity to discuss the daily insecurities faced by women and girls in Northern Ireland society. Including the voices of grassroots organisations and women’s groups in policy discussions is important. Safe spaces could empower women to discuss their human security challenges openly. Integrating human security principles into policies may help develop sustainable approaches to reduce VAWG and its impact.
Further reading
- UNTFHS Human Security Handbook (January 2016)
- UK Ministry of Defence, Joint Service Publication on Human Security Approach (June 2024)
- Women and Peacebuilding: Reflections from Northern Ireland (19 March 2024)
- The Grip of Sexual Violence: Reading UN Security Council Resolutions on Human Security (2014), by K. Engle