Peacekeeping

The Peacekeeping theme focuses on a gendered approach to multi-dimensional peacekeeping missions, predominantly through gender mainstreaming of peace support operations and the increase of female recruitment in peacekeeping, military, and police.

The Security Council calls for an increase in the number of women in peacekeeping operations (1325,OP6).

It is also important to note that the issues of gender and peacekeeping should never be reduced to the number of women recruited as peacekeepers. Promoting security is about providing real human security for the population, not about the militarisation of women. The point is not to achieve gender parity for its own sake, but rather to draw on the unique and powerful contribution women can make to peacekeeping.

The Security Council commits to include a gender component in UN field operations (1325,OP5), and requests that the Secretary-General’s reports to include information on the progress of gender mainstreaming within each operation (1325,OP17). Without a gender perspective, it is almost impossible to adequately create an inclusive security, which forms the basis of promoting sustainable and durable peace. Gender training, pre-deployment, on the ground, and post-deployment is effective for ensuring peacekeeping personnel have sufficient knowledge and skills.

Peacekeeping missions are increasingly being mandated to address sexual violence (1960,OP10), and training can increase the prevention, recognition, and response to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (1820,OP6). The implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda varies greatly among Peacekeeping Operations. This variation is a result of the peacekeeping mission’s mandates and also structure, leadership, funding, whether there is a designation of a separate unit to address gender, and the number of gender advisors. These key gaps were highlighted in DPKO’s Ten-Year Impact Study on Implementation of Resolution 1325 in Peacekeeping.


These measures can trigger positive changes for women within conflict and post-conflict situations, such as increased physical security, employment-related benefits, capacity building for local women’s organisations, and increased awareness of women’s rights. Additionally, positive role models and examples of women’s leadership have a positive effect on the environment and contribute to the success of peacekeeping missions.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

The Security Council faces significant challenges. It must ensure the functio...

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The Security Council faces significant challenges. It must ensure the functioning and impact of the monitoring system and the presentation of reports on sexual violence in conflict, and systematically include components on gender and on prevention of sexual violence in the terms of reference of its field visits and the mandates for its peacekeeping operations.

At the same time, in a broader context, Luxembourg has just decided to fund a...

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At the same time, in a broader context, Luxembourg has just decided to fund a major project of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations that is aimed at strengthening the leadership and participation of women in peacebuilding activities in countries

It is my Government's hope that today's resolution will establish formal mon...

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It is my Government's hope that today's resolution will establish formal monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence, and generate insightful analysis of trends and patterns to better protect affected populations and inform targeted measures.

Female peacekeepers and women protection advisors are crucial in this sense....

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Female peacekeepers and women protection advisors are crucial in this sense. Where they have been present, local populations have more readily reported on instances of sexual violence. Today's resolution unequivocally supports their presence and the need to mainstream them.

"My delegation appreciates the very important role that women's protecti...

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"My delegation appreciates the very important role that women's protection advisers will play in protecting women and girls from sexual violence. Their support for the monitoring, analysis and reporting system on sexual violence and their facilitation of dialogue with parties to conflict are welcome.

It is critical to protect women from all forms of violence and to empower th...

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It is critical to protect women from all forms of violence and to empower them within their society. For this reason, Japan has decided to make a contribution of $4.5 million to UN Women for its project in Afghanistan. It is also vital to strengthen the comprehensive response that is the responsibility of United Nations peacekeeping missions. We expect more women's protection advisors to be designated in the missions.

"The second is the importance of giving systematic consideration to sexu...

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"The second is the importance of giving systematic consideration to sexual violence in authorizations and renewals of peacekeeping and special political missions. Moreover, when missions are mandated, technical assessments of country situations should include gender expertise. "

"In 2008, Italy, in its capacity as a member of the Security Council, wa...

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"In 2008, Italy, in its capacity as a member of the Security Council, was one of the strongest advocates of resolution 1820 (2008), on sexual violence in conflict. We also supported the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General. At the national level, we are finalizing a plan of action to implement resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security.

In the 10 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we have seen so...

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In the 10 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we have seen some positive steps to prevent sexual violence in conflict. Unfortunately, overall progress is slow. Israel joined the list of sponsors of resolution 1960 (2010), recognizing the urgent need for collective action on this pressing issue. As a co-sponsor of the previous resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009), Israel remains deeply committed to their full implementation.

The recent deployment of Irish defence forces with the United Nations Mission...

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The recent deployment of Irish defence forces with the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad has left us with some reflections.

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