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 >>

Tanenbaum's Peacemaker in Action Nominations

This initiative by Tanenbaum calls for nominations for their Peacemaker in Action award. This award is given to a religiously motivated peace activist who works in conflict areas.   

Read or download the initiative below, or read the original here. 
_________________________________________________________________________

Tanenbaum's Peacemaker in Action Nominations

Tanenbaum's Peacemaker in Action Nominations.pdf

Why a Feminist Foreign Policy Is Needed More than Ever

Why a Feminist Foreign Policy Is Needed More than Ever - Inter Press Service.pdf

SGBV PK

Extract: 

There is no greater need for accountability than for those sexually exploited and abused by peacekeepers — those who have been betrayed by the people sent to protect them.

PK PRotection

Extract: 

We think that mixed teams can be quite useful. Women in peacekeeping operations can facilitate contact with women and with the most vulnerable members of local communities.

SGBV SSR PK

Extract: 

Portugal reiterates its commitment to continue to conduct training programmes for members of its national security and armed forces who have been deployed to international peacekeeping missions. Such training programmes cover such issues as gender equality, violence against women and girls, including all forms of sexual violence and gender-based violence, as well as trafficking in human beings.

PK IMP

Extract: 

Nepali peacekeepers are fully oriented towards protecting civilians, particularly women and girls, during and after conflict. The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Nepal have all integrated United Nations policies regarding the protection of civilians, sexual exploitation and abuse, and protection of human rights into the predeployment training of peacekeepers.

PK IMP

Extract: 

Since the early 2000s, the Council has endowed itself with a normative framework and ambitious mandates in particular with respect to the most vulnerable groups — children and women — by developing its children and armed conflict agenda and its women and peace and security agenda. It is important to implement these with rigour and without exceptions or restrictions.

PK

Extract: 

Today’s debate is a reminder once again that an ample knowledge base exists on what is needed to improve the protection of civilian populations by peacekeeping missions, including as reflected in the recommendations of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (S/2015/446) and last year’s reviews on peacebuilding and women and peace and security.

Cyprus

Extract: 

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus is an example, in our view, of an efficient, cost-effective peacekeeping mission and a pioneer for gender parity in peace operations.

Pages