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: Mass Rape in Congo Reignites Questions on Efficacy of UN Force

A report this week that Rwandan rebels looted villages in Congo and mass-raped more than 150 women and children in July has human rights activists asking why the UN peacekeeping mission can't prevent such atrocities.

The Rwandan rebels came down into the eastern Congolese town of Luvungi and occupied it for four days, systematically looting local homes and gang-raping more than 150 women and children.

DRC: Mass Rapes Underline Urgency of Consolidating Peace in Eastern DR Congo

The recent savage rape and assault of scores of civilians in the remote and troubled far east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a “brutal reminder” of the obstacles faced in keeping the peace in conflict zones, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

INTERNATIONAL: DPKO/DFS Guidelines -Integrating a Gender Perspective into the Work of the United Nations Military in Peacekeeping Operations

In 2009, the Office of Military Affairs and the Gender Unit of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) initiated a process to develop for the first time guidelines for Integrating a Gender Perspective into the Work of the United Nations Military in Peacekeeping Operations.

DRC: UN Peacekeepers Accused of Sexual Abuse

The United Nations said on Wednesday it was investigating allegations of sexual exploitation by two of its peacekeepers serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) was looking into the charges against the two military personnel assigned to the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in DRC (MONUSCO).

LIBERIA: Indian Women Peacekeepers Hailed in Liberia

They are trained in sophisticated combat tactics and weaponry, crowd and mob control, counter-insurgency. They patrol the streets of the Liberian capital, expected to keep the peace after years of war.

INTERNATIONAL: U.N. Women Peacekeepers in Short Supply

Even as U.N. peacekeeping operations in the world's battle zones continue to expand, women soldiers, police and civilian support staff remain a small minority – something that sorely needs to change, U.N. officials say.

Today, there are more than 113,000 peacekeepers, including 90,000 military and police personnel, serving in 18 U.N. operations in four continents.

JAMAICA: Jamaican Makes Her Mark as UN Peacekeeper

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Oberlene Smith-Whyte, is making an impact as a United Nations peacekeeper, winning the respect of her colleagues and even insurgents in some of the most inhospitable countries around the globe.
United Nations Peacekeeper, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Oberlene Smith-Whyte.

INTERNATIONAL: Cash Crunch, Sex Abuse Charges Hit U.N. Peacekeeping

As the United Nations gears up to despatch thousands of new troops into political trouble spots in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, its peacekeeping missions are being undermined by a shortage of funds, unpaid debts and charges of sexual abuse against women and children caught in the crossfire.

INTERNATIONAL: Peacekeepers Share Innovations to Stop Sexual Violence

A new UN publication for the first time highlights the best tactics employed by international peacekeepers to stop sexual violence as a tactic of war. Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence—An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice is part of a broader agenda to improve the capacities of peacekeepers to protect civilians.

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