What do you understand by the term 'Human Security'.Briefly discuss.

 The term ‘human security’ is a relatively new concept that has evolved in the contemporary world, considers the safety and well-being of individuals as the center of security theory and practice. The concept is an inclusive, multidimensional, and people-centric approach to security, which takes into account the needs, vulnerabilities, and rights of individuals, as well as the broader social, economic, political, and environmental factors that shape their lives.

Human security is essentially about the protection and promotion of the dignity and worth of every individual. It goes beyond the traditional concept of national and military security that focuses on defending states against external threats. It emphasizes the protection of people from a range of threats and risks that arise from poverty, environmental degradation, natural disasters, human rights abuses, and violent conflicts. In essence, human security prioritizes the protection of people’s basic rights, including their right to life, liberty, and freedom from fear and want.

The concept of human security emerged in the 1990s, in response to the changing world order after the end of the Cold War. Scholars and practitioners began to recognize that the traditional approach to security was inadequate in addressing the complex and interconnected challenges of the post-Cold War era. The end of the East-West rivalry gave way to new forms of insecurity, such as ethnic conflicts, terrorism, human rights violations, environmental degradation, and poverty, which threatened the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world.

In this context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) played a pivotal role in promoting the concept of human security. In 1994, the UNDP published its landmark report, Human Development Report, which presented a new framework for security that placed people at the center of the security agenda. The report argued that human security should focus on the protection of people’s basic needs and rights, such as access to food, water, healthcare, education, and a safe environment.

Since then, the concept of human security has gained wider acceptance and has become an important part of the international discourse on security. The UN General Assembly has adopted several resolutions on human security, recognizing it as an essential component of global security. Moreover, various governments, NGOs, and civil society groups have adopted the concept in their policies and programs.

The concept of human security has several key dimensions that reflect its inclusive and people-centric nature. These dimensions include economic security, food security, health security, environmental security, personal security, and community security.

Economic security refers to the protection of people’s livelihoods and income. It entails ensuring that people have access to employment, social safety nets, and basic services, such as healthcare and education, which enable them to support themselves and their families.

Food security is about ensuring that every individual has access to sufficient and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs. This requires addressing the root causes of hunger, such as poverty, environmental degradation, and conflict.

Health security is about protecting people from preventable diseases and securing access to affordable and quality healthcare. This entails addressing health risks and diseases that affect the most vulnerable populations, such as women, children, and the elderly.

Environmental security is about protecting the environment and natural resources on which human well-being depends. This includes safeguarding water resources, addressing climate change, and preventing environmental degradation and pollution.

Personal security involves protecting people from violence and abuse, including physical, sexual, and psychological violence. This dimension of human security entails promoting human rights, reducing crime, and preventing conflict.

Community security is about promoting social cohesion and community resilience to prevent and respond to natural disasters, conflicts, and other crises. This requires building strong and resilient communities that can withstand shocks and recover from adversity.

The concept of human security has important implications for policy and practice. It calls for a comprehensive and integrated approach to security that goes beyond the traditional focus on military and national security. It requires addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and social exclusion. It also entails promoting human dignity and rights, including the right to life, freedom from fear and want, and access to basic services and opportunities.

In conclusion, human security is a multidimensional and inclusive approach to security that places people’s needs, rights, and well-being at the center. It recognizes that security is not just about protecting states from external threats, but it’s also about protecting individuals from a range of threats and risks that undermine their basic needs and rights. Therefore, it calls for a comprehensive and integrated approach to security that addresses the root causes of insecurity, promotes human dignity and rights, and builds strong and resilient communities.

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