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 >>

STATEMENT: Security Council Extends UN Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon for Another Year

The Security Council today extended the mandate of United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon until 31 August 2013, while urging all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of the world body's staff.

DOCUMENTARY: Side by Side: Women, Peace and Security

A new documentary launched by UN Women, Side by Side: Women, Peace and Security, interviews activists, peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and survivors of violence to chart the impact of conflict on women's lives and the work being done by peacekeeping and humanitarian operations to empower women around the world.

Kofi Annan Centre Introduces MA in Gender and Security

The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) is introducing a Master of Arts in Gender, Peace and Security programme, which was inaugurated in June 1, 2012.

The programme provides a framework for research and reflection on conflict, peace and security in the African context, bringing to the fore the gender dimensions and effects.

Call For Papers: Conflict Trends 'Nexus between Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding'

The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) is presently soliciting contributions for the third Conflict Trends Issue of 2011 (CT 2011, Issue 3). This will be a Special Issue of Conflict Trends focusing on the 'Nexus between Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding'. We welcome submissions on articles that aim to enhance this discussion on the nexus between peacekeeping and peacebuilding in Africa.

VIDEO: There is a Women's Spring Beginning

A newly published study in the American Journal of Public Health estimates more than two million women have been raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2006. But women's advocates say there is also positive news coming from the DRC.

ANALYSIS/PETITION: Next Steps to Protect

On Monday, April 18, Citizens for Global Solutions ran a full page advertisement in the New York Times that calls for three essential actions for the U.N. to take in Libya. We are reaching out to Americans because we now live in a new age where the international community has accepted its responsibility to protect.

BLOG: End impunity for U.N. Peacekeepers Who Rape and Abuse

Those who use rape as a weapon of war in volatile regions across the world must be punished, says the United Nations, but activists say the global body must also end impunity of its own peacekeepers who are guilty of such crimes.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: International Conflict Research Institute Summer School

*****FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE – 25th March, 2011*****

12th INCORE International Summer School, hosted at the Magee Campus of the University of Ulster and will run from 13th - 17th June.

PROGRAM: UNOCI Runs Awareness-raising Session for Women in Nagnenefoun on Preserving Peaceful Post-Election Environment

The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), in collaboration with the Grenier International NGO, conducted an awareness-raising session on preserving a peaceful post-election environment for about 100 women in Nagnénéfoun Village, in the northern commune of Korhogo, on Friday 7 January 2011.

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