International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call for gender equality. This year, at Region Security Guarding, we proudly recognise the incredible women making a difference in the security industry.

Traditionally a male-dominated field, the security industry is becoming increasingly diverse, with more talented professionals shaping its future. As reported by Gov.uk, the number of women holding active SIA licenses has risen by nearly 30% over the past 5 years, reflecting this positive shift.

The Role of Women in Security

Women are making significant strides in the security industry, contributing across a variety of fields. However, it remains clear that the sector is still predominantly male-dominated.

Women make up just under 11% of the UK’s security workforce.

Yet, 95% of Chief Security Officers in the UK agree that emotional intelligence is a critical skill for frontline officers – a skill which women often excel at.

In cybersecurity, women account for only 17% of the workforce, with as little as 12% holding senior roles in the industry.

This disparity underlines significant opportunities for growth, particularly in leadership roles and access to professional development. Recognising and supporting the contributions of women in security is essential for achieving ongoing progress within the industry.

Breaking Barriers and Leading Change for Women

Despite progress, challenges persist. Women in security continue to face significant barriers, including:

• Underrepresentation in Leadership Roles: Women hold only 35% of leadership positions, though they occupy 43% of roles on company boards.
• Gender Bias: The gender pay gap stands at 13.1% across all roles, and 7% for full-time positions.

However, organisations are increasingly recognising the value of diversity and taking proactive measures to foster more inclusive workplaces. The UK government has committed to:

• Increasing women’s meaningful participation and leadership in UK defence, foreign and security policy, as well as boosting the percentage of women joining the Armed Forces.
• Supporting and championing women’s rights organisations, women peacebuilders, and human rights defenders at all levels.
• Advocating for and funding opportunities for women’s meaningful participation in defence, security, and peace process dialogues.
• Focusing on inclusive peace outcomes and pushing for the full implementation of agreements that support gender-sensitive reconciliation and the creation of more inclusive structures and institutions.

Celebrating Women’s Milestones

This International Women’s Day, we want to highlight the stories of women who have made, and are continuing to make an impact in the industry. From pioneering cybersecurity specialists to security officers ensuring public safety, their dedication and expertise deserve recognition.

Mary Sherer, MI5’s first female agent runner, was pivotal in the Double Cross system, which turned German agents against Abwehr. She managed the double agent TREASURE, guiding her to feed both false and genuine information. Sherer’s contributions were crucial to the D-Day Double Cross deception, earning her commendations. However, despite her success, she was never granted officer rank due to her gender.

Jacquie Davis, the world’s top female bodyguard with over 30 years of experience, has been instrumental in creating opportunities for women in the security sector. Her efforts have challenged stereotypes and paved the way for women to thrive in the field. As a passionate advocate for gender equality, Davis regularly speaks at events across the globe, sharing her experiences and promoting inclusivity within the industry.

Leaders such as Sherer and Davis are paving the way for others, proving that gender should never be a barrier to success. Their journeys have inspire young women to pursue careers in security and drive meaningful change within the industry.

A Call for Continued Progress

While celebrating achievements, it is also essential to advocate for further progress. Companies and organisations must continue to push for gender equality by offering training, fair advancements opportunities, and supportive networks.

This International Women’s Day, let’s recognise and celebrate the contributions of women in security, encourage more inclusivity, and work towards a future where talent and dedication – not gender – define success in the industry.