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 >>

SOUTH ASIA: Nepal's PLA: From Guerillas to Motherhood

KATHMANDU, NEPAL (Catholic Online) - Attracted to the Army by promises of equality and justice during the decade of conflict from 1996 to 2006, many have since formed families while staying on with the Maoist guerrilla group, the PLA. Now, many are looking for an alternative to the PLA as they turn their attentions toward raising their families and homemaking.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Women's Message Diluted but Persistant Following Bonn Conference

Coverage on Afghan women who have traveled the distance to be part of the Bonn Conference in Germany this week did show up short as global media placed more attention on international politics instead of participation for the women who wanted to discuss on-the-ground security needs.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Women See An Opportunity At Bonn

On December 5, the international community will gather with Afghan leaders in Bonn, Germany's picturesque Cold War-era capital, for the latest stock-taking of Afghanistan. While some are tempering expectations for the second major conference in Bonn in ten years, Afghan women leaders see an opportunity -- and they're doing everything they can to seize it.

INTERNATIONAL: The Rise of Women

Their `century' shouldn't be perceived as the end of men

On Sept. 21 Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff became the first woman ever to give the opening speech at UN General Assembly session. She called this ‘the century of women'.

AFGHANISTAN: Support Afghan Women

IMPORTANT talks are coming up where discussions about the peace of Afghanistan will take place.

Whilst much news on Afghanistan centres on the potential withdrawal of military troops, I would like to draw readers' attention to another aspect of the Afghan conflict - women's forgotten role in building peace.

Afghanistan is still one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a woman.

INTERNATIONAL: UNESCO Awards Peace Hero Defenders – Anarkali Honaryar & Khaled Abu Awwad

United Nations: An Afghan women's rights campaigner and a Palestinian peace activist are the winners of a United Nations award recognizing their outstanding contributions to the promotion of tolerance and non-violence, the UN announced.

INTERNATIONAL: Political Analyst Advocates Lead Roles for More Women in Peacekeeping

Co-Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Dr. Marsha Henry has recommended that more women should be allowed to participate in peacekeeping because of their multiple roles at a given time.

Such an arrangement would develop their expertise which could become a resource for other useful purposes.

INTERNATIONAL: Women in War, Women in Peace

As wars become less about states and more about societies, women can play a greater role in shaping or ending conflicts. So why do we still think of war as inherently male?

INTERNATIONAL: Women Participation in Peace, Security Issues

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called for the involvement of more women in conflict prevention and mediation, saying ``their participation is essential to building blocks in reinforcing democracy'.

'Whistleblower' Screening Disturbs Peace at U.N.

U.N. peacekeepers' violations of women they are supposed to protect was brought uncomfortably close to home by the recent screening of "The Whistleblower" at U.N. headquarters earlier this month.

After the Oct. 14 screening, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened a panel discussion by noting "much progress since this dark period portrayed in this film," while also acknowledging there is more work to be done.

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