Security Council Member States quick reference guide: Mitigating reprisal risks for women civil society briefers in public Security Council meetings

This guide provides practical, principled guidance for Security Council Member States to anticipate, mitigate, and respond to the growing risks of reprisals faced by women civil society representatives who participate in public meetings. It addresses the specific ways women are targeted, including through gender-specific harms like sexualized harassment, digital smear campaigns, and pressure on family members, noting that these attacks undermine the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the integrity of the United Nations.

Organized into four components, the tool offers strategies for informed consent and risk-sensitive preparation, the use of protective diplomatic language during briefings, and sustained post-engagement follow-up for 60 to 90 days. Ultimately, the publication asserts that while zero risk is impossible, the goal of Member States should be risk mitigation rather than silence, ensuring that the burden of safety does not fall solely on the briefer and that authentic voices continue to inform the world’s highest security body.