The impact of globalization—including its gender impact—should be assessed
from a human security perspective. The concept of human security provides a
useful framework for evaluating globalization’s affect on people, especially its
gender dimensions. Human security goes beyond concepts of poverty, inequality
and human rights, and emphasizes the downside risks or changes in the level of
human well-being due to sudden changes that threaten the vital core of human
lives. Globalization is a process that creates instabilities and can heighten many
risks. Women are particularly vulnerable to these new threats. Addressing these
threats requires international action and an initiative that sets an agenda for
addressing new global threats with a gender perspective.