Closing the gender gap in biosecurity leadership is vital for crafting policies that address women's unique vulnerabilities and contributions in the face of biological threats
In March 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the world in unforeseen ways. Women were predisposed to the adverse outcomes of the virus, accompanied by climate crises and low food security. A 2022 UNDP and UN Women report analysed nearly 5,000 measures implemented by 226 countries and territories. The report highlighted women’s continued disadvantage on the front line in treatment, policymaking representation, and leadership. In India, this manifested as a mere 12.5 percent of the membership in the National Task Force for COVID-19 being women.
The underrepresentation of women in biosafety, health, and even biosecurity is a critical issue that warrants immediate attention, especially in light of the rapidly evolving biosecurity landscape.
The underrepresentation of women in biosafety, health, and even biosecurity is a critical issue that warrants immediate attention, especially in light of the rapidly evolving biosecurity landscape. While male dominance in other security fields, such as nuclear security, is widely acknowledged and the need for greater female representation in these areas is often highlighted, the same urgency has not been applied to biosecurity. This oversight is significant, as biosecurity has unique implications for underrepresented genders that remain largely unaddressed. The absence of gender diversity in decision-making roles can lead to blind spots in policy development, where gender-specific vulnerabilities and perspectives are overlooked. This gap is particularly concerning in the context of biosecurity, where the impacts of threats such as pandemics and biological attacks can vary significantly across different genders.
To address the participation of women in security, the United Nations has spearheaded certain moves. This focus on women and security was first advanced in October 2000 with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325). This landmark resolution called on Member States to ensure greater representation of women at all decision-making levels in institutions responsible for preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts. UNSCR 1325 was celebrated as a groundbreaking step in acknowledging women’s crucial contributions to security and conflict resolution. Following this, a series of related Security Council resolutions, including UNSCRs 1820, 1888, 1889, 1960, 2106, 2122, 2242, and 2467, further reinforced the importance of integrating women into peace and security initiatives.
UNSCR 1325 and its subsequent resolutions represented a paradigm shift in how the international community views women’s roles in security. Initially, the focus was on ensuring representation—getting women a seat at the table during peace processes. However, as the discourse evolved, resolutions such as UNSCR 1889 were introduced, emphasising women’s active participation. This shift from representation to participation reflects a growing recognition of women as essential peacebuilding actors, not merely passive beneficiaries but as dynamic agents of change capable of shaping outcomes in meaningful ways. Most recently, in 2019, The UNSCR introduced resolution 2493, reaffirming all previous resolutions and notably discussing active participation across the security pipeline for women and affirming a survivor-centred approach for women who have been sexually assaulted in conflict areas.
The explicit resolution on the impact on women by chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological (CBRN) weapons is not mentioned in their most recent resolution on non-proliferation, UNSCR 2663.
However, despite these developments, the explicit resolution on the impact on women by chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological (CBRN) weapons is not mentioned in their most recent resolution on non-proliferation, UNSCR 2663.
In alignment with these international commitments, the UN has encouraged its member states to develop National Action Plans (NAPs) to implement UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions. Fifty-six have formulated at least one NAP. However, over 30 percent of the total NAPs formulated were set to expire in 2022. India has not formulated a NAP for Women in Peace and Security (WIPS).
As a significant global player in peacekeeping, security, and diplomacy, India has much to gain from developing a National Action Plan on Women in Peace and Security. One global player that has incorporated women in peace and security through NAPs and specifically in biosecurity is the United States (US). This can be seen in the US 2022 National Security Strategy, which focuses on the investment and incorporation of women and other minority groups in many security segments, from the economy to education. Following the 2010 Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), many women in the US government were seen in leadership roles in arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation, particularly in biosecurity.
As a significant global player in peacekeeping, security, and diplomacy, India has much to gain from developing a National Action Plan on Women in Peace and Security.
India has hesitated to form and publish a national security strategy, so the lack of a NAPS document is not unexpected. However, the outcomes of such a document should be incorporated. Learning from the leadership opportunities held by women in the US, India can align global best practices, reinforcing its commitment to international norms and enhancing its reputation as a leader in gender-sensitive governance. As alluded to earlier, women's involvement in biosecurity and biosafety is imperative. Women need to be involved in biosecurity because epidemiological research needs to focus more on health issues in victims of biological warfare and how attacks affect individuals differently based on sex and gender. Biological agents can cause varying immune responses and treatment outcomes based on sex. Additionally, the scope of biological warfare is expanding due to emerging technologies and potential agents that can target specific groups based on gender identity and its integration with class and resource accessibility.
Moreover, India's unique security challenges—from regional conflicts to internal insurgencies—underscore the need for a gender-responsive approach to peace and security. Women in India, particularly in conflict-affected areas, often bear the brunt of violence and instability. The representation of the community can help enhance decision-making processes, especially in biosecurity, to ensure access to healthcare and policymaking outcomes that prioritise those at the frontline. It would facilitate the development of targeted policies and programmes that address the unique needs and challenges women face in conflict and post-conflict settings. This approach would ensure that security initiatives are more comprehensive and responsive to the realities on the ground, ultimately leading to more sustainable peace and stability.
The representation of the community can help enhance decision-making processes, especially in biosecurity, to ensure access to healthcare and policymaking outcomes that prioritise those at the frontline.
In India, biosecurity and biosafety are often clubbed and monitored under the Department of Biotechnology. Like most other governing organisations, the department lacks female leadership and has little to no overlap with the Ministry of Women and Child Development. With more women in decision-making positions, this shift towards inclusivity promises a more significant segment of coverage—considering that the impact of biological agents may be gender-specific or may differ based on gender—which was not previously considered and can enhance biosecurity response. These gender-specific vulnerabilities can appear in varying ways. For example, women are often primary caregivers, making them more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases or hazardous materials while caring for sick family members. Additionally, women’s health needs, such as reproductive health, may require specific considerations during biosecurity crises.
For this, India and any government lacking such an approach must have a gendered lens in the policy development process. As government-level changes are already alluded to by international organisations like the UN’s advocacy for NAPS, governments must ensure bottom-up inclusion at a domestic level. This would begin with training programmes for biosecurity, biosafety, and health, which should include modules on gender sensitivity and awareness. Educating personnel on the importance of gender perspectives can help create a more inclusive and effective response framework. Additionally, encouraging women to pursue careers in these fields through scholarships, mentorship, and outreach programmes can help build a more gender-diverse workforce.
Educating personnel on the importance of gender perspectives can help create a more inclusive and effective response framework.
Collecting gender-disaggregated data is essential for understanding the different impacts of biosecurity threats and CBRN incidents on various genders. Research should focus on identifying gender-specific vulnerabilities and practical strategies to address them. This data can inform policy development and ensure that responses are tailored to the needs of all genders.
Engaging with communities, especially women’s groups, can provide valuable insights into women’s needs and challenges during biosecurity crises. Community-based approaches can ensure that response efforts are culturally sensitive.
Biological weapons and agents, unlike other CBRN weapons, target the biological integrity of an individual. The same is also true for viruses and pathogens that occur naturally. While women’s involvement in policymaking is essential simply because they represent half the global population, it is a need that must be expedited and addressed by higher levels of policymaking so that those at the frontline are protected.
Shravishtha Ajaykumar is an Associate Fellow with the Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology at the Observer Research Foundation
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Shravishtha Ajaykumar is Associate Fellow at the Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology. Her fields of research include geospatial technology, data privacy, cybersecurity, and strategic ...
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