Our Commitment to Gender Equality

The VCDNP actively promotes gender equality and women empowerment among our staff and in the nuclear field at large.

We understand that fair recruitment, pay, and benefits are essential for enabling women to thrive in the workplace. This is why the VCDNP maintains gender-inclusive policies on hiring and retention.

Under our Young Women and Next Generation Initiative, we help empower future female decision-makers and experts in the nuclear field through career advice and a nine-month mentoring programme that connects early-career women with senior researchers, diplomats, and policy officials.

We prioritise equal representation of women in our short courses on disarmament and non-proliferation for diplomats and practitioners. Between 44% and 61% of course participants from 2018 to 2023 have been women.

VCDNP staff attend the 10th NPT Review Conference

Former mentee Aline Shaban shares her experience in the Young Women Mentorship Programme

VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova moderates a panel on women leadership in nuclear security at the 2022 A/CPPNM Review Conference

Participants of the Young Women Mentorship Programme meet in Rome

VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova at the 5th anniversary of the International Gender Champions Hub in Vienna

VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova (left) at the December 2022 meeting of International Gender Champions in Vienna

VCDNP Research Associate Louis Reitmann participates in the 2022 Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy retreat in Virginia

Launch of the 2021 cycle of the Young Women Mentorship Programme with VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova, Sibylle Bauer (SIPRI), and Ettore Greco (IAI)

VCDNP staff attend the 10th NPT Review Conference

Former mentee Aline Shaban shares her experience in the Young Women Mentorship Programme

VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova moderates a panel on women leadership in nuclear security at the 2022 A/CPPNM Review Conference

Participants of the Young Women Mentorship Programme meet in Rome

VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova at the 5th anniversary of the International Gender Champions Hub in Vienna

VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova (left) at the December 2022 meeting of International Gender Champions in Vienna

VCDNP Research Associate Louis Reitmann participates in the 2022 Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy retreat in Virginia

Launch of the 2021 cycle of the Young Women Mentorship Programme with VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova, Sibylle Bauer (SIPRI), and Ettore Greco (IAI)

VCDNP Executive Director Elena K. Sokova is an International Gender Champion (IGC). As a firm supporter of this initiative, the VCDNP has committed to the IGC Panel Parity Pledge. To boost the visibility of female experts and thought leaders, we ensure that VCDNP staff do not participate in single-gender panels.

The VCDNP has also signed the IGC Gender-Based Violence Pledge. To maintain a safe work and meeting space for our staff and stakeholders, we implement a Responsible and Respectful Behaviour Policy (PDF), including a zero-tolerance rule for discrimination and abuse.

We demonstrate leadership for gender equality as the only NGO represented in the Steering Group, which coordinates IGC activities in Vienna, monitors the implementation of IGC Pledges, and helps Champions set meaningful goals for gender equality.

The VCDNP is a proud member of the Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy (GCNP) initiative through our Executive Director Elena K. Sokova. For 2024, we have committed to three goals to make the VCDNP an even more gender-inclusive place and help advance gender equality in the nuclear field:

Organise an event to engage the next generation of women on nuclear security issues

Produce two additional outputs focused on gender issues, diversity, and inclusion in the nuclear field

Provide hands-on skill-building opportunities to the next generation of women in the nuclear field