Golan Heights (S/2014/199)

The Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) (S/2014/199) was submitted to the Security Council ( on 18 March 2014.)

The Report of the Secretary-General, dated 18 March 2014 (S/2014/199), discusseds the activities of UNDOF pursuant to rResolution 350 (1974) and extended by rResolution 2108 (2013). The report wais divided into the following sections: aAn Introduction; The situation in the area and the activities of the Force; Implementation of Security Council resolution 338 (1973); and Observations.  The report discussed the challenges in maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic, the continual efforts of UNDOF in observing and reporting breaches of the ceasefire line; and humanitarian assistance.

Relevant issues of women, peace and security weare referenced only in regards to women serving as military observers in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).[1]

The report failed to integrate a gender perspective in discussion of UNDOF’s humanitarian assistance efforts; in the training of civilian personnel; and in reporting in regards to violence against civilians and civilian deaths; and in IDPs and refugees, sex-disaggregated data should be provided across all areas. Finally, the report failed to acknowledge the link between the flow of arms and increased sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls.

In relation to the recommendations put forth in the December 2013 MAP, the report’s record wais inadequate.[2] The MAP called for numerous points including, the inclusion of gender-specific language, support for women affected by the current crisis, engagement of women in political solutions to the violence, gender-specific humanitarian responses, and mandatory comprehensive gender training for troops. As per usual, in regards to the situation in Golan Heights, the Council missed several opportunities to include a gender perspective and made no mention of women, peace, and security in the current report.

The current report of 18 March 2014 (S/2014/199) further digressed from the previous report of 3 December 2013 (S/2014/716). Both reports madke reference to women’s participation in UNTSO, however the previous report made one additional reference, by incorporating sex-disaggregated data one occasion in relation to civilian deaths. However, neither report provided any substantive reference to issues of women, peace, and security. Particularly, neither report incorporated a gender lens when discussing UNDOF’s humanitarian assistance efforts; civilian protection efforts; or in the training of civilian personnel. Similarly, neither report discussed the link between the flow of arms and impact on the lives of women in the region.

[1] Reporting on the number of women serving in UNDOF is provided, not a noteworthy reference to the goals and mission of the NGOWG

[2] http://womenpeacesecurity.org/media/pdf-MAP_December2013.pdf