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.

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STATEMENT: Speech of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, at the inauguration of the Kosovo Women Police Officers Association


I have the exceptional pleasure to inaugurate together with you, the Association of Women Police Officers of Kosovo, crowning the untiring work and the unshaken dedication and commitment of yours to become part of the international professional forums, which aims to strengthen the institution of Police and ensure gender equality within these institutions.

CONFERENCE/MEETING: Use of Private Military and Security Companies by the United Nations

As WILPF's March 2013 Call for Accountability of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) highlighted, the increasing use of PMSCs raise critical challenges to women's human rights and the women peace and security agenda, including through a lack of accountability for perpetuation of gender based violence.

RESEARCH: Empowering The Forgotten Heroines of Peacebuilding – the Somali Women

The role of women in peacebuilding has long been underestimated in Somaliland. Since the country's collapse and the emergence of Somaliland, citizens have been plagued by protracted political insecurity and militarised violence.

CONFERENCE/MEETING: Determined to Save Succeeding Generations from the Scourge of War

On Thursday, June 6th, 2013, DPI/NGO Relations, in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Switzerland at the United Nations (UN), presented a panel discussion, “Determined to Save Succeeding Generations from the Scourge of War” addressing the UN charter preamble, which highlights this goal as one of the UN's major purposes. The panelists included: Ms.

STATEMENT: Lakshmi Puri's Remarks at TICAD V: "Women's Role in Sustainable Growth and Development, Peace and Security in Africa"

“Women's role in sustainable growth and development, peace and security in Africa,” Remarks by Lakshmi Puri, Acting Head of UN Women and Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, during the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, thematic session on “Driving Development through Gender Equality: Advancing Empowerment of Women” on 2 June, 2013, Tokyo, Japan.

CONFERENCE: Announcing Moving Beyond Militarism & War: Women-driven Solutions for a Nonviolent World

We are very excited to invite you to join us online from May 28-30 for the Nobel Women's Initiative's fourth biennial conference, Moving Beyond Militarism & War: Women-driven solutions for a nonviolent world. The conference – hosted in Belfast by Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire – will for the first time bring together all six Laureates of the Nobel Women's Initiative.

TRAINING: Malian Armed and Security Forces Gear Up to Better Protect Women and Children in Conflict Situations

“I didn't know that a soldier could or should play a role in protecting and helping the civilian population, especially women and children, who are the most vulnerable and exposed in conflicts,” said a Sergeant in the Mopti area in northern Mali.

BLOG: Expanding the Training of Female Peacekeepers

In 2011, President Obama signed Executive Order 13595, which created the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security and tasked U.S. government agencies to expand focus on the protection of women and girls in war torn areas and incorporate women into post-conflict relief and recovery efforts. One way the Department of State is working to implement the Action Plan is through the Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative.

BLOG: Day 3: A Small Piece Of War By Your Ear

DR Congo has a bloody history of colonisation and slavery, and its current situation is characterised by extremely grave violations of human rights. The liberation in the 1960s has been followed by political struggles, dictatorship, poor distribution of the country's wealth, armed conflict between different fractions of the national army and guerilla groups, conflict related systematic rape and corruption.

APPEAL: UN-African Union Mission Calls for End to Hostilities in Darfur Town

The head of the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, known by the acronym UNAMID, has called for an end to the latest round of violence – reportedly leading to several casualties – to affect a town in the Sudanese state of North Darfur.

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