Deep Dive Recap: Protection of Civilians and the Gender Perspective

Subject-matter expertise was provided by Mr Anthony Icayan, PoC and Civil-Military Interaction Subject-Matter Expert at NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and Ms Viviana De Annuntiis, Liaison and Knowledge Development Deputy Section Head at NATO Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP).

Mr Icayan remarked that the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept calls for the integration of the Human Security and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agendas across all core tasks. The traditional approach to PoC was based on civilian harm mitigation. Nevertheless, Mr Icayan underlined that a new PoC mindset is needed in the face of new challenges such as hybrid warfare, the increasing use of human shields in conflicts and intentional civilian targeting. NATO PoC has legal, moral and political imperatives, but it also impacts mission success and legitimacy. NATO’s role entails increasing obligations to protect civilians from harm by both adversaries and NATO’s own actions. He stressed that this is achieved when applying a broader human security framework focusing on civilians’ perspectives, needs and facilitating access to essential services. This Military Conceptual framework is composed of four different elements:

1. Understanding the Human Environment (UHE) from a population’s perspective;
2. Mitigate Harm (MH) through minimizing harm from own actions and the actions of Perpetrators;
3. Facilitate Access to Basic Needs (FABN) for civilians and aid workers;
4. Contribute to a Safe and Secure Environment (C-SASE) for local governments and institutions.

Mr Icayan argued that the integration of WPS in PoC crosses all three elements of the PoC framework. First, mitigating harm entails the direct protection of vulnerable groups, especially women and children, seeking to maintain awareness of and eventually deter issues such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and the recruitment of Child Soldiers. Further, conducting gender analysis with proper gender disaggregated data ensures a more holistic understanding of the human environment and helps tailor activities to the needs of vulnerable groups. This will identify the unique security concerns of Men, Women, Boys and Girls, while also help establish mobility patterns and economic activities. Second, facilitating access to basic needs requires enabling the activities of beneficiary populations and civil aid workers to ensure humanitarian aid distribution with a gender aware approach. Lastly, contributing to a safe and secure environment necessitates the inclusion of women in all efforts to prevent and resolve conflict and support in the training and development of local authorities’ and security forces ability to provide for the human security of all members of society. 

Ms De Annuntiis stated that contemporary military operations are conducted in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environments which underlines that men, women, boys and girls must remain at the centre of efforts for the PoC. This also underlines the importance of promoting collaboration among Allies, Partners, NGOs and other international organisations to share concerns and efforts for the PoC. Ms De Annuntiis observed that today’s conflicts are increasingly characterised by belligerency and large explosives used in key civilian areas. Identifying the groups who are considered the most vulnerable has an impact on targeting. Indeed, the direct damage of targeting urban areas is multi-layered. First, while men have the highest death rate in conflicts, children are disproportionally impacted as they fall victim to the worst injuries and require health services the most. Second, the urbanisation of attacks has an impact on key services which can lead to informal settlements that risk disproportionally exposing women and girls to cases of SGBV. Last, civilian life and population wellbeing is subject to overwhelming modifications. In fact, trauma and injuries can lead women and girls to take on additional caretaking roles and become marginalised in the peace-making processes.  

Ms De Annuntiis delved into the intersection of the gender perspective with PoC and hybrid threats. Indeed, civilians heavily rely on information to be aware of risks and consequently protect themselves. Information allows civilians to make active decisions which enhances their safety. The central role of civilians in the assessment of the human environment is strictly linked to information warfare, especially when coupled with conflict. Disinformation can create chaos and undermine civilians’ ability to make effective choices for their own protection. Belligerents have an operational interest in spreading misinformation and disinformation to make it more viable to target civilians. She stated that coupled analyses and efforts towards the PoC, gender perspective and StratCom are necessary to contrast such phenomenon. 

In conclusion, integrating gender and PoC is a comprehensive strategy that can intersect with resilience and civil preparedness. NATO’s role has to be temporary until local authorities and populations can manage their own security. However, PoC must encompass people, objects and services. Considering the gender perspective and principles of the WPS agenda can foster a more holistic approach to conflict as well as effective prevention and protection measures.