In the context of cybercrime capacity-building, a gender analysis is an assessment of how – if at all – policymakers think about gender and online security, and how this is reflected in policies.
What is a gender analysis?
The UN defines gender as ‘the social attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female and the relationships between women and men and girls and boys’. While definitions of gender vary, it is commonly understood that gender exists on a spectrum and is socioculturally constructed, with the result that it often mirrors power hierarchies and dynamics. The word ‘gender’ is not synonymous or interchangeable with ‘women’.
The word ‘gender’ is not synonymous or interchangeable with ‘women’
A gender analysis is a way of understanding the way gender is conceived and understood in a particular context, and the impact it has on people’s experiences in that context. It reveals key information around the power dynamics and perceptions of inclusivity among people based on how they identify. A gender analysis provides information that recognizes both the impact of gender and its relationship with race, ethnicity, culture, class, age, disability and/or other status. At a basic level, and for capacity-building purposes, a gender analysis is an assessment of how – if at all – policymakers think subconsciously and consciously about gender and online security, and how this is reflected in policies.
Why is it important to undertake a gender analysis?
Organizations and the people they serve have differing perceptions of their security, based on gender and other characteristics. Analysing security threats is the best way of forming strategies for proactive and reactive security. Strategically strengthening confidence, trust, security and reliability of information and communications technologies (ICTs) and of ICT systems through a gender lens facilitates more equitable economic development, access to vital and transformative public services, and the sharing of information. It also improves overall operational effectiveness.
To develop a strategic picture of the cybercrime landscape, it is important to recognize that different people experience and receive cybercrime and responses to cybercrime in different ways, including on the basis of their gender, sexual orientation and other intersecting identities, and depending on the political, social and cultural context. Furthermore, the impacts of security policies and strategies are not equal across different groups and often magnify existing gender inequalities. Undertaking a gender analysis of the cybercrime landscape helps capacity-builders identify risks and harms that can be gender-disaggregated to increase the opportunities for operational effectiveness in developing activities to combat cybercrime.
How do I undertake a gender analysis?
There are several starting points for undertaking a gender analysis. The following examples are not exhaustive, and should be context-driven:
It is important to ask what data are missing and why; some cybercrime victims may be reluctant to report or may be unaware of reporting mechanisms and resources
