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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Security Council Resolution S/RES/2296: Preamble

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Sudan
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Peace Processes
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Peacekeeping
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Human Rights
Extract: 

Recalling all its relevant resolutions on women, peace and security, on children and armed conflicts, on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, and on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts,

Expressing deep concern at the ongoing insecurity in Darfur as characterised by attacks by rebel groups and Government forces in Jebel Marra, inter-tribal fighting, banditry and criminality, including sexual and gender-based violence targeting women and girls, which continues to threaten civilians, in particular women and children; and reiterating its demand that all parties to the conflict in Darfur immediately end violence, including attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel,

Taking note of the lack of military confrontation between the Government of Sudan and armed groups in Darfur over the past year, except for Jebel Marra, expressing deep concern at a significant increase in violence in and around the Jebel Marra, where fighting between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Army Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) continued, including aerial bombardments and reported attacks on women and children, as well as inter-communal conflict over land, access to resources, migration issues and tribal rivalries, including with the involvement of paramilitary units and tribal militias, including in East, West and North Darfur where inter-communal conflict led to significant displacement as well as the killing and wounding of civilians and the wounding of a peacekeeper,

[...]

Security Council Resolution S/RES/2296

S_RES_2296.pdf

Security Council Resolution S/RES/2295

S_RES_2295.pdf

Security Council Resolution S/RES/2293: Preamble.

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Democratic Republic of the Congo
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Peace Processes
Peacekeeping
Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform
Extract: 

Recalling all its relevant resolutions on women and peace and security, on children and armed conflict, and on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts,

Security Council Resolution S/RES/2293

S_RES_2293.pdf

Statement of Paraguay, October, 2015

Extract: 

In 2015, our country has enjoyed the highest percentage of female participation in awareness programmes and training for peace operations. Some 27 per cent of participants are women, and we hope to see this percentage increase through the efforts of the relevant institutions to promote the greater participation of women in the contingents of peacekeeping missions in which Paraguay is a participant.

STATEMENT OF PERU, October, 2015

Extract: 

At the international level, Peru supports the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy, which strongly condemns the participation of persons working under the flag of the United Nations in any form of inappropriate or immoral behaviour, especially in cases of sexual exploitation and abuse against civilians, in particular women and girls.

STATEMENT OF PAKISTAN, OCTOBER, 2015

Extract: 

Multidimensional peacekeeping missions, such as those provided for in resolution 2086 (2013), play a key role in combating violence against women in conflict and post-conflict situations. As a leading troop contributor, Pakistan will continue to ensure that our troops respond to the special needs of women and girls. We plan to further streamline training on gender sensitization.

STATEMENT OF NIGERIA, OCTOBER, 2015

Extract: 

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has also played a constructive role in advancing the women and peace and security agenda by promoting the greater involvement of women in peacekeeping. According to United Nations data, 29 per cent of the 6,800 international civilians working in special political missions and peacekeeping missions are women. That is highly significant.

STATEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND, OCTOBER, 2015

Extract: 

In our own small way, New Zealand has sought to play its part. We have had women in front-line peacekeeping roles since the year 2000. We are working to ensure that women are included at more senior levels in future peacekeeping operations.

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