Gender and security sector reform in Uganda

Abstract

Gender and security are very important aspects of Uganda as a country. And it has been noted that they both influence each other. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that to cater for gender aspects, security institutions must be intentional while doing reforms to make sure that gender is factored in hence a big emphasis on gender and security sector reform. This research presents a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of existing gender and security sector reforms in Uganda. The primary objectives were to assess the current state of gender and security sector reforms in Uganda, identify stakeholders involved in gender and security sector reforms in Uganda, and establish the key obstacles hindering the incorporation of gender in security sector reforms in Uganda. Security sector reform was explored as a potential avenue to provide space for females as gender in security institutions like the police and military. The research employed a desktop research approach, collecting data from various credible sources and academic literature to fulfill its specific objectives. The research also employed feminist international relations theory and Gender perspective theory. The findings of the study highlighted the efforts made by various security institutions in policy and reforms aimed at including gender aspects in those reforms, main stakeholders in gender and security sector reform including the various reforms that have been made and their impact as well as the challenges faced by different stakeholders engaged in gender and security sector reform.