Security sector reform (SSR) is increasingly recognized as a crucial part of development, peace-building and democratization. The core security sector includes all the organizations that have the authority to use, or order the use of, force, or the threat of force, to protect individuals, groups and the state. There is a strong recognition by security sector reform practitioners and donors that gender should be mainstreamed in SSR, but there is often a lack of political will, clear policy articulation, legislative frameworks and practical implementation instruments.

The UN-INSTRAW Gender, Peace and Security Programme works in the field of security sector reform to ensure that gender perspectives are analyzed, addressed and mainstreamed into SSR initiatives to promote a more inclusive and sustainable human security for women, men, girls and boys. The work of the programme has focused on developing practical tools, information-sharing, networking, and action-oriented research.