A Feminist Contribution to the Study of Security in International Relations According to the International Relations (IR) model, one of the main objectives is security. There are several theories on how security should be perceived. The majority defines security as the protection of the State. However, the feminist method values security in the form of human interest over that of the state and also recognizes gender concerns within international relations. Feminist theory offers a very different perspective with various strengths but also has weaknesses. To understand a feminist scholar's perspective on security, it is necessary to clarify her understanding of international relations. An individual without knowledge of IR is accustomed to “such an approach helps to focus attention on current and emerging threats to the security and well-being of individuals and communities” (UN 2014). Furthermore, women are important when it comes to negotiating peace agreements, planning refugee camps and peacekeeping operations, as well as rebuilding war-torn societies (UNIFEM 2004). The feminist perspective in security studies challenges the focus on military solutions and pushes the focus towards addressing structural problems, furthermore, they believe in prevention rather than intervention; for example civil solutions rather than military solutions. The goals of feminism are first and foremost to solve problems within the state. They seek to identify the collective needs of mankind. Human security helps to understand the relationship between gender and violence. The importance of human security has enabled UNIFEM and UN women to work in post-conflict situations which has led people to work together in humanitarian affairs, development and undoubtedly security. Involving more women in international relations could have a better influence on the world and have positive results, but only if both genders
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