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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CANADA: Canada's Most Wanted: Women -- The Pitfalls of Gender Imbalance Among Peacekeepers

Scandal buffs may recall that when a UN peacekeeping mission got under way in Cambodia in the early 1990s, the number of brothels suddenly spiked. The new patrons, it turned out, were male troops. Rather than condemn their actions, the head of the mission uncouthly replied: “Boys will be boys.”

INTERNATIONAL: United Nations Launches Booklet on How to Deter Sexual Violence

The United Nations on Wednesday launched its first compilation of the best practices for its peacekeepers and other workers to prevent, deter and respond to the use of rape as a war tactic.

The booklet, titled: "Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence - An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice", was launched at the UN headquarters in New York, US.

INTERNATIONAL: United Nations Must Train Its Peacekeepers on Prevention and Response to Sexual Violence

Refugees International welcomed the publication today of a practical “inventory” document that details actions UN peacekeepers can take to deter perpetrators and assist survivors of sexual violence. Despite increased attention, rates of sexual violence in places like Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo where peacekeeping forces are deployed show no signs of abating.

DRC: Pursuing Rebels at What Price

Operation Amani Leo, launched jointly by MONUC (the United Nations Mission in Congo) and FARDC (the Congolese army) in January to regain control of mining territories in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu from rebels, while ensuring security for the local population has been extended to September. But Congolese women are arguing for changes in the conduct of military operations.

NIGERIA: Peacekeeping Targets 20% Women Participation in 2014

Nigeria hopes to increase the number of its women participating in UN peacekeeping missions by 20 per cent in 2014, a top UN military officer, Lt.-Gen. Chikadibia Obiakor, has said.

HAITI: Basics for Haiti

The list of what needs to be fixed in Haiti is distressingly long, and progress has been frustratingly slow. But two areas require urgent attention from the Haitian government and its main international backers, the United Nations and the United States:

LIBERIA: In Liberia, UN Police Officer Deploys Her Language Skills to Help Those in Need

A police officer serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia is giving a voice not only to women who have suffered from sexual violence, but also to the West African country's deaf people, thanks to her sign language skills.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Local Police Women Benefits from Women's Regional Police Conference

Four female officers from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force have returned to the country after participating in the 7th Annual Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women's Advisory Network (PICP WAN) conference recently held in Samoa.

SOUTH ASIA: India, Bangladesh Take Lead in Deploying UN Female Police Officers

United Nations India and Bangladesh have taken a lead in sending female police officers to serve in United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world as the world body aims to have 20 per cent women in its police force by 2040.
In 2007, India sent the first contingent of women officers to serve in Liberia and has since then rotated this team thrice.

INTERNATIONAL: UN Seeks More Female Police for Peacekeeping Missions

The United Nations is looking for a "few good women" — more than 2,000 to be exact — to serve as police officers in UN peacekeeping missions around the world.

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