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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DRC: Rebel Rape Victims May Face Same Abuse From Army, UN Warns

Hundreds of women who were raped by rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) nearly three months ago now reportedly face the same abuse from Government troops, a senior United Nations official warned today.

DRC: Army Raping And Killing, Says UN Envoy

DR Congo government troops are raping and killing women in remote villages where hundreds were the victims of mass rapes by militias in July and August, Margot Wallstrom, UN special envoy on sexual violence against women in conflict, said Thursday.

INTERNATIONAL: Rape a 'Cheap' Weapon, U.N. Says

Sexual violence perpetrated against women and children extends beyond Africa as a "cheap" weapon of war, a U.N. special envoy on sexual violence said.

The United Nations says that while conflicts are changing, civilians continue to suffer the most during wars. Women and children are often the greatest victims as militants turn to sexual violence as a way to wield power over vulnerable communities.

SRI LANKA: Women, Peace and Security

The adoption of the Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), ten years ago, was a landmark in our efforts to recognize the women's contribution to the maintenance and promotion of peace and security and their specific needs and concerns during and in the aftermath of armed conflicts.

SUDAN: Advancing Women's Rights as Sudan Referendum Approaches

DEVELOPMENT


Fears of further violence in Sudan are currently generating many news headlines because of the looming January 2011 deadline for the referendum on southern independence.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Dramatic Increase in Reported Rapes in Northern Ireland

Reports of rape and attempted rape in Northern Ireland have increased by ten per cent compared to last year, according to the BBC.


Between April to September this year, 261 cases of rape and attempted rape have been recorded. ‘If the figures continue to increase for the next six months we will be looking at the largest number of recorded rape offences within recent years,' Detective Chief Inspector Don Glass said.

INTERNATIONAL: UN Resolutions Support Women, but Fail to Change Winds of War

Ten years ago, the UN passed a resolution underscoring the role of women in promoting peace and security. Yet despite the passage of three similar agreements since then, men still hold most of the influence.

INTERNATIONAL: Give Women Peacekeepers a Chance

The consensus was “could do better” as senior government representatives met in New York to commemorate UN Security Council Resolution 1325, a decade-old commitment to strengthen the role of women in peace and security.

Ambassadors and government officials widely endorsed a Security Council decision on 27 October to create indicators to measure progress from now on.

CAMBODIA: Mainstreaming Gender in Financial Sector to Reduce Disparities Between Men and Women in Cambodia

A budget planning which has gender consideration in it from the very start will go a long way to reduce disparities between men and women in Cambodia, allowing them to enjoy more equally the benefits of the budget allocation and spending as well as opportunities to participate in political and socio-economic activities.

INTERNATIONAL: Wallstrom Acts on Rapes; Fetal Pain Becomes Law

Margot Wallstrom, the U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict zones, appealed to the Security Council Oct. 15 to enact sanctions against the rebel leaders who were reportedly responsible for the mass gang rapes of up to 500 women in the Democratic Republic of Congo this summer.

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