The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), on Wednesday, 19 May 2010, began a three-day workshop in Korhogo, 580 km from Abidjan, to train and sensitise its staff on the theme: “Gender and peacekeeping operations” as part of activities to celebrate the second anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1820 scheduled in June 2010.
The training is aimed at reinforcing the capacity of UNOCI sections in Korhogo to apply measuresin accordance with the resolution with regard to women, peace and security.
Yacouba Doumbia of UNOCI's Gender unit said it was important for staff to be aware of and reflect on the reasons behind the UN decision to adopt a policy of gender equality in its operations. Drawing the link between gender and peacekeeping, he said: “Gender allows a society in conflict to improve after the passage of peacekeeping agents and to ensure that all the members of that society have equal access to the fruits of peace”.
UNPOL Sahirou Laouali, who took part in the seminar, said it would go a long way to bridge the gap in the implementation of activities on the ground.
“It is an asset for me as officer in charge of civilian-military affairs,” said Lieutenant Boubacar Issa of UNOCI's Niger battalion, who said that the training was of added value with regard to his contact with different communities.
The workshop, which brought together some 20 UNOCI staff, was based on examples drawn from the first-hand experiences of participants
After UN staff, the trainers are looking forward to extending the workshop to political, administrative and traditional authorities in Korhogo, as well as those who are actively involved in the fight against sexual violence.
