UN Women and the UN University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) have launched two new facilitators’ manuals to support women civil society organisations and human rights defenders in addressing the risks in artificial intelligence (AI) and in promoting cybersecurity and cyber-resilience for women and girls in South-East Asia.
Developed by Dr. Jaimee Stuart, Senior Researcher and Team Lead at UNU Macau, from the evidence gathered in the groundbreaking research released in May 2024, these manuals provide timely and practical guidance to support and uphold the Women Peace and Security Agenda, as well as to provide resources for human rights defenders and peacebuilders to deliver gender-responsive training on emerging digital threats.
The manuals are grounded in regional research and consultations, and are part of the broader UN Women initiative, Women, Peace and Cybersecurity: Promoting Women, Peace and Security in the Digital World which now includes a comprehensive array of advocacy, research, and training materials. The initiative has received generous support from the Government of Australia (under its Cyber and Critical Tech Cooperation Program) and from the Government of the Republic of Korea.
The resources are publicly available and are accompanied by self-paced e-learning modules and printable materials on the UN Women Digital Security eLearning Platform.
Facilitator's Manual: Artificial Intelligence and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in South-East Asia
This manual provides facilitators with the tools to understand and address AI’s opportunities and risks through a gender-sensitive, Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) lens. Drawing from the Artificial Intelligence and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in South-East Asia report (2024), it aims to strengthen peacebuilding efforts by improving the knowledge and skills of individuals and organizations in engaging with AI responsibly.
Learning objectives:
- Understand what AI is and how gender dynamics affect its usage and applications.
- Be aware of AI applications in the context of peace and conflict and their unique effects on women and girls.
- Be familiar with how AI-driven technologies can be used to support gender-responsive peace efforts.
- Develop an understanding of key policy considerations for AI development and deployment from a WPS lens.
Facilitator's Manual: Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Resilience Among Women Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society in South-East Asia
This manual offers guidance on cybersecurity risks and resilience strategies for women human rights defenders (WHRDs) and women’s civil society organizations (WCSOs). Based on the Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Resilience among Women Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society in South-East Asia report (2024), it aims to enhance their capacity to address gendered cybersecurity risks.
Learning Objectives:
- To increase knowledge and awareness of gendered cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.
- To inform cybersecurity and cyber resilience strategies for individuals and organizations from a gendered lens and with a human-centred focus.
- To empower women and women’s advocates to reduce their cyber risks, disrupt potential for harm and support their cyber resilience.
- To create cybersecurity communities of practice among women and women’s advocates that can support contextualized and responsive capacity-building efforts.
All materials associated with the training – including a Slide Deck for trainers – can be accessed at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/H38WZ
By expanding the Women, Peace, and Cybersecurity initiative with these manuals, UN Women and UNU Macau provide timely, regionally relevant resources that enhance advocacy, research, and training efforts in South-East Asia and contribute to global discussions on AI ethics and digital governance.
Download full manuals and slide decks for trainers:
- Facilitators' Manual: Artificial Intelligence and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in South-East Asia [Full Manual] [Slide Deck]
- Facilitators' Manual: Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Resilience Among Women Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society in South-East Asia [Full Manual] [Slide Deck]
Media contacts
Qian Dai, UNU Macau comms_macau@unu.edu
