Challenges and Opportunities in Peace Operations: The Incorporation of Women

During the last decade the peace operations under the command of the United Nations and its corresponding resources have increased exponentially. Until December of 2007, 67 missions had been undertaken since the creation of the Organization in 1948. Regarding to military troops, the number of personnel assigned rose by 86% between 2001 and 2008: from 38.100 military offi cers in 2001 to 70.825 by the end of 2007. During 2008, 17 missions were undertaken in different parts of the planet with the corresponding challenges and opportunities for those troop contributing countries. Among them, countries from the American Continent.