Women in International Security and Cyberspace Fellowship (WiC)

Summary

Details

Aim

The Women in Cyber Fellowship aims to ensure equal and effective representation of women diplomats from all regions in United Nations cyber negotiations. The program seeks to develop cyber governance capacities, providing access to workshops and training as well as direct support to Fellows for their participation in UN First and Third Committee processes. 

Context 

As recognized by the Women, Peace and Security agenda, women are differently and uniquely affected by conflict and threats to international peace and security. UNIDIR’s report into gender balance in arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament diplomacy ‘Still Behind the Curve’, found that the UN First Committee (under which the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) is convened) has the lowest proportion of female diplomats of any of the UNGA’s Main Committees. In addition, while estimates vary, women represent less than 25 per cent of the cyber security workforce. Combined, this highlights the need to ensure women are empowered to participate in discussions concerning cyberspace. 

Outcomes 

The fellowship provides opportunities for knowledge and skills development related to cyber diplomacy, with Fellows participating in substantive sessions with their national delegation. The training elements of the fellowship therefore have a particular focus on international security and cybercrime, in addition to exploring the intersections of gendered issues of security with cyber policy. 

• Attendance of fellows at UN negotiations on cyber, including ongoing processes in the UN First and Third Committees 
• Programme of networking and developmental workshops arranged by co-sponsors 
• Improved coordination and impact of the Women in Cyber Fellowship programme 
• The establishment of an international cyber stability framework promoting responsible behavior in cyberspace 
• Stronger cybercrime cooperation, prosecution, and prevention 
• The development of cyber security capabilities for a strong and resilient national cyber security posture 
• Advocacy for the protection of human rights and democracy online 

Outputs 

The organizing countries provide support to fellows in attending negotiations in the UN cyber processes (Open-ended Working Group and Ad-Hoc Committee). The GFCE Secretariat provides administrative support enabling fellows to travel to these meetings. The program of meetings follows the schedules set out by the respective UN Process. 

After every session the GFCE Secretariat develops a report on the event. These reports are provided to the organizing countries and include information on the participation of fellows, supporting training events, and general information on the implementation of the fellowship program. 

The organizing countries arrange trainings and workshops corollary to the UN substantive sessions. These events are a core feature of the fellowship, helping fellows to prepare for upcoming negotiations, develop knowledge on the substantive content of discussions, as well as developing skills, for example in cyber diplomacy. 

One of the main aims of the Women in International Security and Cyberspace Fellowship program is the creation of a strong and growing network of female diplomats and other professionals with an interest in cyber and international security issues. In its second edition, the program currently supports over 35 fellows in actively participating in ongoing UN processes and brings those together with alumni in networking events. The program also brings the group together with other Women in Cyber networks and programs, thereby generating external momentum around gender issues in international security. 

Activities

The organizing countries provide support to fellows in attending negotiations in the UN cyber processes (Open-ended Working Group and Ad-Hoc Committee) and arrange trainings and workshops corollary to the UN substantive sessions. These events are a core feature of the fellowship, helping fellows to prepare for upcoming negotiations, develop knowledge on the substantive content of discussions, as well as developing skills, for example in cyber diplomacy. 

One of the main aims of the Women in International Security and Cyberspace Fellowship program is the creation of a strong and growing network of female diplomats and other professionals with an interest in cyber and international security issues. In its second edition, the program currently supports over 35 fellows in actively participating in ongoing UN processes and brings those together with alumni in networking events. The program also brings the group together with other Women in Cyber networks and programs, thereby generating external momentum around gender issues in international security.

As latest activity, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office hosted the third annual Women in Cyber training programme attended by a group of 24 women, coming from different regions around the world. The event was sponsored by the Governments of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the U.K., and consisted of eight sessions held between the 18th and 22nd of July 2022, which focused on Drafting Resolutions, Cyber Policy, Leadership and United Nations Negotiations. Since the pandemic, this was the first Women in Cyber training programme held in-person. 

Other website links  

https://eucyberdirect.eu/good-cyber-story/women-and-international-security-in-cyberspace-fellowship

https://unitar.org/about/news-stories/news/unitar-new-york-organizes-australian-fellowship-women-cyber

wic-fellowship-press-release.pdf (internationalcybertech.gov.au)