ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces students to feminist conceptions of European security through the lens of Feminist Security Studies. Feminist scholars have proved that gender is of central importance to European security both in terms of its conceptualisation and practice. Feminist Security Studies’ scholars have made important inroads in both exposing and challenging the silences within mainstream approaches’ explanations of international security. The Resolution was also groundbreaking because of the role of feminist civil society in realising its adoption. The European Union (EU) is underpinned by neoliberal values and it is an economic focus that has underpinned the institution’s engagement with the issue of gender equality. In order to understand the particular values placed on Women, Peace and Security by the EU, it is necessary to consider how the EU’s interaction and engagement externally has shaped this at an institutional level. Drawing on a Feminist Security Studies’ approach shows that security is a deeply gendered issue.
