Cynder Project: Addressing the Gender Gap in the Cybersecurity Agenda of the Americas and the Caribbean - OAS - Organization of American States

Cynder Project: Addressing the Gender Gap in the Cybersecurity Agenda of the Americas and the Caribbean Data Status Active Start 2022 Implementation Social Networks The Cynder Project (“Addressing the Gender Gap in the Cybersecurity Agenda of the Americas and the Caribbean”) is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing gender inequality in the cybersecurity sector, with a regional focus on tackling its structural roots. Launched in 2022 with the financial support of the Government of Canada, the initiative was built upon a diagnostic assessment of the current integration of gender perspectives in cybersecurity across the region, including an evaluation of National Cybersecurity Strategies. One of Cynder’s core objectives is to provide technical support to Member States to incorporate gender perspectives into public cybersecurity policies, practices and multilateral processes. It also aims to collaborate with national and international efforts to build the capacity needed to identify and respond to the gendered impacts of cybersecurity operations. In addition to gender-sensitive cybersecurity capacity building, Cynder promotes the increased participation of women in the regional cybersecurity ecosystem. This includes targeted training for girls and young women, mentorship and internship programs, and the coordination of the WiCE Network (Women in Cybersecurity Empowerment Network), which brings together members from across the region. Another key component is raising awareness about the differentiated risks individuals may face during cyberattacks due to their gender. To this end, Cynder emphasizes the dissemination of tailored information for various groups — including women’s organizations, human rights defenders, journalists, and others — through communication campaigns, knowledge materials, and public events such as the CyberChat4All series. The initiative also seeks to close cybersecurity knowledge gaps and support technology-facilitated gender-based violence prevention through the open virtual course “Our Networks, Our Safety”, hosted on the Educational Portal of the Americas. Overall, Cynder represents a holistic approach to tackling gender inequality in cybersecurity, combining training, research, and awareness-raising to foster a more inclusive and secure cyberspace for all.  OBJECTIVES Promote a deeper understanding of the intersection between cybersecurity and gender.  Integrate gender and diversity perspectives into cybersecurity policies and multilateral processes and support the identification of gender-differentiated impacts of cybersecurity operations.  Bridge cybersecurity knowledge gaps and support efforts to prevent online violence.  Implement tailored capacity-building initiatives to address gender disparities in the cybersecurity sector.  Foster greater and more meaningful participation of women in the regional cybersecurity sector.  ACTIVITIES Support training of public sector officials of the region on the gendered impacts of cybersecurity operations.  Provide technical assistance to integrate gender and diversity components in the development of national and regional cybersecurity strategies.  Support digital literacy and cybersecurity education for girls and young women, including guidance on career paths, technical skills development, scholarships, internships, and initiatives such as the annual #GirlsinCyber mentoring fair and a mentorship program that fosters their professional growth and encourages their active participation in the cybersecurity ecosystem across the region.  Coordinate the WiCE – Women in Cybersecurity Empowerment Network.  Conduct and publish research on gender dimensions of cybersecurity, including women’s participation in technical assistance missions, National Incident Response Teams, and the Confidence Building Measures Working Group on Cyberspace (CBMs).  Develop and distribute context-specific knowledge and tools for both the general public and cybersecurity professionals regarding gender-related cyber threats.  Produce and share theoretical and practical content — such as materials and webinars under the #CyberChat4All series and the virtual course “Our Networks, Our Security”— focused on digital security from a gender perspective, aimed at women with diverse profiles, individuals with non-normative gender identities, and the broader public.  Formulate recommendations for public, private, and civil society actors to promote gender-inclusive work environments in the cybersecurity sector.  Through the Canada-funded Women in International Security and Cyberspace Fellowship (WiC), CICTE has strengthened the participation of women diplomats from the Americas and the Caribbean, particularly in negotiations such as the UN OEWG and the Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime. Since 2021, this transformative program has advanced gender inclusivity by equipping participants with the skills to navigate complex negotiations, enhancing both national and regional capacity.  BENEFICIARY COUNTRIES Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Barbados Belize Bolivia Brazil Canada Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico Panama Paraguay Peru Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname The Bahamas Trinidad and Tobago United States of America Uruguay Venezuela MORE PUBLICATIONS PUBLICATIONS English Español May, 2025 A Novel Approach to the 11 UN Norms for Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace: Guidelines for Gendered Implementation Español November, 2025 Cybersecurity capabilities and challenges of organizations working for women's rights Only available in Spanish English Español November, 2025 About WiCE English Español November, 2025 The Cybersecurity Workforce and Gender Gaps English Español November, 2025 What is AI English November, 2025 IoT Infographic Español November, 2025 Video Game Players Infographic (only in Spanish) Español November, 2025 Domestic Violence Infographic (only in Spanish) English Español January, 2026 What is WICE network? MORE EVENTS EVENTS 3ra Feria de Mentorías en Ciberseguridad para Jóvenes de las Américas #GirsInCyber – Edición Uruguay Oct 24, 2025 Auditorio del Edificio Anexo Torre Ejecutiva, Liniers 1280 Montevideo, Uruguay Cybersecurity Mentorship Fair: Together in Cyber and #Mujeresciber Forum Nov 7, 2024 Universidad de Chile Santiago de Chile, Chile #cyberchat4all-10 CTF: Capture Your Future in Cybersecurity What is a CTF and how can it boost your career? Oct 2, 2025 CyberChat4All-9 What Cyber Professionals Do: Empowering Young Women in Cybersecurity Apr 24, 2025 Cyberchat4All-9. Beyond Bias: Redefining AI for Women's Safety Dec 5, 2024 CyberChat4All-8 Re-imagining AI. How to incorporate a gender perspective in AI and cybersecurity Oct 15, 2024 How to protect your business? Basic digital security for women entrepreneurs #CyberChat4All-7 The seventh webinar of the #CyberChat4All series will focus on providing women merchants and entrepreneurs in the region with tools and basic knowledge about cybersecurity Jul 30, 2024 #CYBERCHAT4ALL-6. How to start my career in cybersecurity? Study Opportunities in the Americas Apr 26, 2024 #CyberChat4All – 5 The Digitalization of Terrorism How does the use of new technologies for terrorist and violent extremism purposes impact us? In this webinar we will explore basic concepts to understand the connections between new technologies, terrorism, and response strategies at both the global and regional levels. Feb 29, 2024 TEAM Kerry-Ann Barrett Section Chief Katya Vera Cybersecurity Section Officer Valentina Name Cybersecurity Section Officer Alexia Amaya Cybersecurity Section Officer STRATEGIC PARTNERS JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS PROCUREMENT NOTICES TERMS & CONDITIONS CONTACT US DIRECTORY