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 >>

INTERVIEW: Being at the Table: Interview with Carolyn McAskie

Carolyn McAskie had a long and distinguished career with the United Nations, her positions including Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Humanitarian Affairs, ASG for Peacebuilding and Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Operation in Burundi. Prior to working for the UN, Ms. McAskie worked with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

ANALYSIS: The Saviour is Feminine: UN Peacekeeping Forces

The number of Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) around the world has increased by more than 400 per cent over the last 20 years.

BLOG: Peacekeepers Inspire Liberian Girls

It is break time at the Victory Chapel School in Congo Town. Children dressed in their royal blue uniforms with bright yellow and white trim fight to get under the shade of the only mango tree in the yard. It is the start of the dry season and the scorching sun will soon be almost unbearable to stand in.

AUDIO: On Patrol with Female Peacekeepers in Liberia

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, has pledged to have 10 per cent of women on every peacekeeping mission by 2014. Crossroads goes on patrol with an all-women peacekeeping force in Liberia.

To listen, click here.

CAMPAIGN: Support Women as Peacebuilders

Almost 10 years ago, on October 31, 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1325, calling for women's equal participation in peace building. Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325 was a response to the disturbing trend that women and girls often suffer most during conflicts, including as displaced civilians or as the targets of sexual violence.

FACEBOOK: United Nations Police Division Female Global Effort

Company Overview:
The Global Effort was launched on the first anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1820 on Women, Peace and Security on 7 August 2009.

One year later the percentage of female police peacekeepers has increased from 8 percent to 9 percent.

STATEMENT: The United States in UN Peacekeeping: Strengthening UN Peacekeeping and Conflict Prevention Efforts

Increasing the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping is one of the highest priorities for the United States at the United Nations. Multilateral peacekeeping shares the risks and responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security, and is a cost-effective way to help achieve U.S. strategic and humanitarian interests.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The Peacebuilding & Development Institute in Sri Lanka, Professional Training Programmes; October – December 2010

PDI-SL Professional Training Programmes; October – December 2010

The Peacebuilding & Development Institute in Sri Lanka (www.pdisl.org) is an international training, capacity building and research Institute in South Asia.

INTERACTIVE: Gender Training for Peacekeepers Map

The UN-INSTRAW (as part of UN-WOMEN) Gender, Peace and Security programme is pleased to announce the launch of the new gender training for peacekeepers map. The interactive map provides a global overview of pre-deployment and in-mission gender training from relevant training officials.


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