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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UNITED STATES: United States Institute of Peace Elevates Gender Initiative to Center of Innovation

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) announced today that its initiative on gender and peacebuilding is now become a full programmatic center, naming Kathleen Kuehnast as director. Kuehnast, a socio-cultural anthropologist, joined USIP in 2008 following a 15-year career in international development and post-conflict.

HAITI: Women's Group Calls for Charges against UN

On Jan. 6 United Nations (UN) secretary general Ban Ki-moon announced the names of the four experts who will serve on a panel to investigate the causes of the cholera epidemic that broke out in Haiti in mid-October.

INDIA: India Asks UN to do More Against Sexual Violence

Advocating greater participation of women in the areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peace keeping and post conflict reconstruction, India wants UN organs to do more against sexual violence.

CANADA/AFGHANISTAN: Put Women in Afghan Army, Senate Report Says

Canada should threaten to withhold aid to Afghanistan unless women are fully included in the peace process and push for more women in the country's security forces, a new Senate report says.

Canada should also put resources into helping build the justice system, particularly in remote communities, and provide gender sensitivity training for the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, as well as their Canadian trainers.

INTERNATIONAL: Security Council Steps Up Fight against Sexual Violence in Conflict

The United Nations stepped up its battle against sexual violence in conflicts around the world today with the Security Council calling for perpetrators to be publicly listed and punished with sanctions.

NAMIBIA: Women Making Inroads in NDF

Good gender representation in the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) offers opportunity to women to empower themselves through a career in the military, said Defence Minister Charles Namoloh at Ondangwa on Thursday.

CAR/CHAD: Huge Challenges Remain as UN Mission Departs Chad, Central African Republic

With the United Nations mission in Chad and Central African Republic (CAR) wrapping up by the end of the year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns that the humanitarian challenges are immense and some security issues give rise to concern.

BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA: UN official - Bosnia War Rapes Must Be Prosecuted

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina -- A U.N. official said Friday that a better job needs to be done in prosecuting rape cases that occurred during the Bosnian war nearly two decades ago, and in other armed conflicts worldwide.

INTERNATIONAL: 'More Women Peacekeepers Is Not the Solution'

For two decades, women around the world have marked "Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence", which fall between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25 and International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.

From Argentina to Ghana, and Japan to Georgia, this year, women's groups worldwide are focusing on the linkages between militarism and violence against women.

SUDAN: South Sudan Vows to Address Increase in Gender based Violence in Rural Area

Sunday, November 4, 2010, (JUBA) – The South Sudan Human Rights Commission said on Thursday said that effective mechanisms need to be put in place to address human rights issues particularly those associated with gender rights.

Victor Lado Caesar Tombe, executive officer of the commission says that many women and girls in south Sudan suffer from exploitation, trafficking, gender based violence.

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