Human security is a development buzzword of the 1990s. To attain security people need to feel safe from natural disasters, such as drought, and 'man-made' problems, such as unemployment. Women are a particularly insecure section of society with the impact of deprivation disproportionately shouldered by women throughout the developing world.

Searching for Security examines how economic, political and environmental factors have contributed to increased gender insecurity in the last decade. Analysing the impacts of insecurity induced by global changes on the lives of women throughout the developing world, the book discusses women's responses to these changing circumstances from Africa to Malaysia, and Hungary to the Caribbean.

By examining both the causes of insecurity and the gendered responses to it, this collection of essays makes a timely contribution to emerging policy efforts to recognise and address the issue of gender insecurity.