New research: Why gender matters in international cyber security

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) published a joint research titled Why Gender Matters in International Cyber Security. The research aims to provide clarity on ‘how malicious international cyber operations between states affect people differently based on their gender and other characteristics which put them in a vulnerable position’. It also looks into the digital gender gap within cyber diplomacy and policy professions. Some of the relevant impacts of cyber operations with an international dimension are internet shutdowns, data breaches, and disinformation campaigns. All of these need to be considered and understood by policy-making and technical communities. The report also addresses problematic gender norms and stereotypes. It reminds of relevant instruments, agendas, and frameworks for policymakers in global cybersecurity in order to advance a gender perspective within multilateral cybersecurity. As a final result, the document should help give recommendations for how multilateral cybersecurity processes, such as the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ‘Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international cyber security’ and participating member states, can incorporate a gender perspective into future work.