Through the Looking Glass: Brexit, defence and security through the lens of gender

This chapter explores the implications of Brexit on the European Union’s (EU) defence and security policy through the lens of gender. As the United Kingdom (UK) navigates its departure from the EU, there remains significant uncertainty about the implications of the post-Brexit political landscape on defence and security. While commentators have attempted to decipher what Britain’s divorce from the EU may mean for the UK as well as the EU’s defence and security, a gender lens has not been systematically applied to these analyses. Since UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) was adopted in October 2000, the EU has, at least on paper, supported the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda. In 2008, the Council of the EU adopted the Comprehensive Approach to the EU Implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820. Other policy initiatives have sought to mainstream gender in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations. Yet, these important policy developments are at risk. As nationalist movements have re-emerged across Europe, the EU’s future is at a critical juncture. Whether the UK and EU negotiate a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ Brexit, the integration of a gender perspective in defence and security policymaking may be undermined and have detrimental consequences.