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 >>

INTERNATIONAL: ICRC Sounds Alarm Over Sexual Violence

GENEVA, Switzerland, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Sexual violence like that in the Congo is a war crime and requires a sea change in the role women play in reconstruction, the ICRC said.

A U.N. human rights team found that more than 300 civilians were raped in the Congo by militants July 30-Aug. 2.

The rapes were allegedly carried out by members of the Congolese Mai Mai militia and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.

SOUTH AFRICA: SA Women: Hard Time in Military

SOUTH Africa has sophisticated gender machinery present in public life, and women's entry into previously male work spaces, such as the military, mining and construction is seen as part of the “gender agenda”.

INTERNATIONAL: As U.N. Peace Missions Multiply, Civilians See Disconnect

Many United Nations peacekeepers are not only failing to meet the needs of civilians, but they are also perceived as unresponsive once civilians convey their needs, says a new report by Oxfam International.

This topic also was the subject of debate in the Security Council Monday, and questions remain regarding what is actually being done, and whether it is enough.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: African Women Still Struggling for Equality

Despite the political will shown by leaders on the African continent, women in Africa faced serious challenges with regards to empowerment and parity.

This is according to Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, who was speaking at the launch of the 2010 SADC Protocol on Gender and Development on Monday.

The Minister noted in some countries in the SADC region, women had minority status.

INTERNATIONAL: Security Council Focuses on Efforts to Spare Civilians from Effects of War

The Security Council today once again called on parties to conflict to take steps to protect civilians affected by hostilities, demanding that they put an end to practices such as sexual violence, forced recruitment and other violations of international humanitarian law.

UGANDA: Sexual Crimes Go Unpunished

KAMPALA, Nov 17, 2010 (IPS) - Thousands of women were raped during Uganda's war but there have been few government efforts to assist them, especially with psychosocial and counseling services.

Anna Grace Nakasi, recently chosen to contest next February's local council elections for Tubur subcounty, in Soroti district in North Eastern Uganda, contracted HIV when she was raped during the war.

DRC: Eastern Congo Security Deteriorating, Crisis Group Reports

The Democratic Republic of Congo government's two-year military campaign against rebels in the east is failing and has sparked widespread abuses by both insurgents and the army, the International Crisis Group said.

SUDAN: Rape Is Not Adultery

Women in the Sudanese region of Darfur have been raped with impunity since the start of the conflict there in 2003. Now a campaign to reform the rape law is gaining momentum in the country, promoted by Alliance 149, a national coalition born in late 2009.

Pages