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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SUDAN: UN Denies Peacekeepers' Abuses in Sudan North-South Border State

The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has categorically denied allegations of misconduct against its peacekeepers in the country's war-stricken state of South Kordofan, and complained that the closure of airspace and restrictions on access are undermining its humanitarian operations there.

SUDAN: With UN Peacekeepers Accused of Rape in Sudan, UN Women & Ban Ki-Moon Adviser Won't Answer, Other Priorities

With UN peacekeepers accused of at least six rapes in Southern Kordofan in Sudan, what has the UN system done? So far, nothing.

Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky about the accusation, by former deputy governor of Southern Kordofan, on June 13. Nesirky responded about a different matter -- the UN abandoning a national staff member -- then moved on to other questions.

INTERNATIONAL: UN Official Stresses Need for Empowerment and Political Participation of Women

The head of the United Nation entity tasked with promoting gender equality today reiterated that economic empowerment of women, political participation, ending gender-based violence and raising women's involvement in post-conflict peacebuilding are the priorities of the body.

DRC/INDIA: Army Probes Soldiers' Sexual Misconduct

Two long years after charges of “sexual misconduct” were leveled against the Indian peacekeepers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Indian Army has moved to constitute a court of inquiry to probe the allegations.

KOSOVO: NATO peacekeeper in Kosovo charged with raping female employees; sent home to face charges

A NATO official in Kosovo says a peacekeeper has been charged with raping several women working in a military camp in the west of the country.

Cpt. Hans Wichter said the 37-year-old Austrian peacekeeper "intimidated the women and used his position as their superior to rape them and coerce them into sexual acts."

INTERNATIONAL/LIBERIA: 'UN Peacekeeping Missions Should Have More Women'

The UN peacekeeping missions should have more women to increase trust with the local populace, said Poonam Gupta, head of the Indian women's police unit in Liberia.

"Women by nature are non-threatening which gives an advantage," Commander Gupta said, speaking from Liberia, on the occasion of the International Day for Peacekeepers being marked on Saturday.

DRC: Congo Calls for Gradual Withdrawal of UN Peacekeeping Force, Citing Security Improvements

Congo called Wednesday for the U.N. peacekeeping force in the central African nation to be gradually withdrawn "without delay," saying the security situation has been stabilized in nearly all parts of the country.

INTERNATIONAL/UNITED STATES: Peace Corps Apology for Response to Crimes on Staff

The US Peace Corps has apologised for failing to respond adequately to the rapes of volunteers and the recent killing of another serving overseas.

Director Aaron Williams said the corps had "not always been sufficiently responsive, compassionate or sensitive to victims of crime".

The apology came as three rape victims testified to lawmakers that they were poorly trained to deal with attacks.

INTERNATIONAL: U.N. Peacekeepers Learn to Battle Sexual Violence in War

Imagine you're a U.N. peacekeeper driving along a dirt road surrounded by dense forests on each side in the conflict-hit region of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Suddenly a half-naked local woman emerges from the bushes, and runs towards your vehicle, screaming in a language you do not understand.

What do you do?

INTERNATIONAL: The Word on Women - U.N. Demands End to Impunity for Combatants who Rape, but what about Peacekeepers?

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.

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