December 2003 Security Council resolution 1509 (2003) reaffirms the importance of a gender perspectivein peacekeeping operations and post-conflict peace building, in accordance with resolution 1325 on women and peace and security, which makes women's human rights and a gender perspective relevant to negotiating peace agreements, planning humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping operations, and reconstructing war-torn societies, from planning and assessment to the withdrawal phase. Gender mainstreaming needs to start from the very beginning of a mission, in order to ensure that structures and programmes are designed to address the different requirements of women and men for protection,
assistance, justice and reconstruction.