Paper, Order, or Assignment Requirements

The word limit for the essay is 3,500 words (excluding the title page and reference list).

Question: Gender should be mainstreamed throughout all SSR programmes and interventions. Discuss.

GUIDANCE

This option asks you to examine the importance of mainstreaming gender in SSR programmes and interventions. You should define what you understand to be gender mainstreaming, and address the reasons why gender mainstreaming is advocated. You might want to consider the ways in which gender can be mainstreamed, the difficulties and challenges in mainstreaming gender, and the arguments against prioritising gender equality and mainstreaming in SSR. With regard to the latter, you might want to consider whether the principle of gender equality for instance is ever in tension with the principle of local ownership, and the risks associated with advocating for principles which may not be broadly accepted in some cultures, or among some groups. You might choose to focus your analysis on one part of the security sector (addressing defence form, for instance) or one geographic area, although you may wish to reference reform in other parts of the security sector and other geographic areas, to make a stronger argument. In addition to consulting the Course material, referenced resources and bibliographies of the units in this Module, you are also encouraged to undertake additional research in this field, not least by drawing on material from the university library. You might also want to draw on personal experience and knowledge, which is encouraged although you should take care to support this with evidence, such as published sources.

There are no right or wrong answers. You will be marked on whether you can create a strong argument, supported with evidence, research and analysis. You will also be marked on your writing and research skills as well as your critical thinking skills. The presentation and structure of your assignment will also be assessed, as will evidence of your understanding of the course material and related sources.