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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INTERNATIONAL: UN Boosts Number of Women in Peacekeeping Operations

The UN Police Adviser, Ann-Marie Orler, said that the organization's initiative to boost the number of female police officers deployed in peacekeeping missions around the globe was recording 'significant' progress. The Pan African News Agency (PANA) recalled that the initiative, tagged: 'Global Effort was launched in August, last year.'

DRC: Peacekeepers Vital, World Leaders Say

Tackling systemic conflict and sexual violence like the atrocities on the Congo requires a comprehensive role in peacekeeping operations, world leaders said.

World leaders discussed global peacekeeping operations on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly under way at U.N. headquarters this week.

US: US Pledges New Funding For UN Peacekeeping In Conflict Zones

The United States has pledged new funding to help implement U.N. efforts to integrate the protection of civilians and to combat sexual violence in conflict zones.

This was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the U.N. Security Council Summit on Peacekeeping.

The U.S. will provide nearly $2 million to help start up the new U.N. special representative office on sexual violence in conflict.

WEST AFRICA: Cote d'Ivoire / UNOCI's Deputy Chief Attends Meeting of Heads of Peacekeeping Missions in West Africa

The Principal Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Abou Moussa, will attend the 19th meeting of UN peacekeeping missions in West Africa on Wednesday, 29 September in Dakar.

INTERNATIONAL: Efforts to Increase Number of Female Police Bearing Fruit, says Top UN Cop

The United Nations initiative to boost the number of female police officers deployed in peacekeeping missions around the globe has made real progress since it was launched a year ago, according to the world body"s top police official.

DRC: With No Peace To Keep, Peacekeepers Told To Leave

UN investigators have accused a group of rebels of gang rape. Members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) committed the crime in late July in a small village in North Kivu province (eastern Congo). At least 200 FDLR rebels participated in a series of night-long assaults on women in the village.

SUDAN: Sexual Violence and the Social Stigma in Darfur

As the situation in Darfur continues, sexual violence remains in the forefront as a means of war and humiliation. As a result, survivors of sexual violence are not only ostracized by their families and communities but left to struggle alone with the long-term effects of this brutal victimization.

SUDAN: Women's Groups Advocate for Rape Law Reform

Women's groups in Khartoum are working together to push for reform of north Sudan's criminal laws on rape and adultery. Despite all of the difficulties that they face, they are taking positive steps forward and using the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to launch their campaign.

DRC: Sexual Violence Report Shocks World Back to Congo Conflict

After 12 years and more than five million dead, residents of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have learnt to survive with the constant din of war as the backdrop of their lives.

UGANDA: For Women with Disabilities, Barriers and Abuse

Women with disabilities in northern Uganda experience ongoing discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Many are unable to gain access to basic services, including health care and justice, and they have been largely ignored in post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

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