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Women in peacekeeping

Three female UN Peacekeepers celebrate International Day of the UN peacekeeper 2023 (on 25 May!) in Goma, North Kivu, DRC

Women have regularly participated in global peacekeeping efforts, including through the United Nations.[1] Although participation greatly increased in the last decade of the 20th century and the first two decades of 21st century, women remained significantly underrepresented in peacekeeping operations in 2023.[2] The participation of women in peacekeeping operations differs significantly between military contingents, military observers, staff officers versus police units.[3] Gender stereotypes and discrimination often limit women's opportunities for advancement and leadership roles within international organizations and military institutions.[4] Additionally, women often face discrimination and harassment in male-dominated peacekeeping environments.[5]

The inclusion of women in peacekeeping operations provides access to places and people inaccessible to men and improves communication quality with civilian communities.[6] Peacekeeping missions with a higher percentage of female personnel have more often been effective in reducing violence and achieving long-lasting peace agreements than those with lower percentages.[7][8][9][10] Women peacekeepers have been instrumental in addressing issues such as sexual violence, human trafficking, and gender-based discrimination, which are prevalent in conflict-affected areas.[11] Women peacekeepers also serve as role models for women and girls in these areas, showing them that women can be powerful and influential agents of change.[12]

In October 2000, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (S/RES/1325) on women, peace, and security was adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council, after recalling resolutions 1261 (1999), 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000), and 1314 (2000). The resolution acknowledged the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls. It calls for the adoption of a gender perspective to consider the special needs of women and girls during conflict, repatriation and resettlement, rehabilitation, reintegration, and post-conflict reconstruction.[13][14][15]

  1. ^ Bigio, Jamille (2018-08-13). "Increasing Female Participation in Peacekeeping Operations". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  2. ^ "Facts and figures: Women, peace, and security". UN Women – Headquarters. Aug 14, 2023. Retrieved Apr 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Crawford, Kerry F.; Lebovic, James H.; Macdonald, Julia M. (2015). "Explaining the Variation in Gender Composition of Personnel Contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations". Armed Forces & Society. 41 (2). [Sage Publications, Ltd., Sage Publications, Inc.]: 257–281. doi:10.1177/0095327X14523416. ISSN 0095-327X. JSTOR 48609188. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Raymond, Camille (Nov 27, 2020). "Gender, Peacekeeping, and Operational Effectiveness: Recommendations for the Deployment of Women in Peacekeeping Operations". Network for Strategic Analysis (NSA). Retrieved Apr 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Kumalo, Liezelle (2021). Perceptions and Lived Realities of Women Police Officers in UN Peace Operations (Technical report). JSTOR resrep32748. Retrieved Apr 8, 2024.
  6. ^ Bigio, Jamille (Aug 13, 2018). "Increasing Female Participation in Peacekeeping Operations". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved Apr 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Rudberg, Eric (May 4, 2023). "The Importance of Meaningful Participation of Female Peacekeepers". Women In International Security -. Retrieved Apr 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "Deployment of Female Personnel Boosts Effectiveness, Says Secretary-General, as Security Council Holds Open Debate on Women in Peacekeeping". Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. Apr 11, 2019. Retrieved Apr 8, 2024.
  9. ^ Osland, Kari M.; Nortvedt, Jenny; Røysamb, Maria Gilen (2020). Female Peacekeepers and Operational Effectiveness in UN Peace Operations (Technical report). JSTOR resrep25749. Retrieved Apr 11, 2024.
  10. ^ Huber, Laura (2022). The Impact of Women Peacekeepers on Public Support for Peacekeeping in Troop-Contributing Countries (Technical report). JSTOR resrep41532. Retrieved Apr 11, 2024.
  11. ^ Secretary-General, United Nations. (2002). Women, Peace and Security (PDF). New York: [New York] : United Nations. ISBN 92-1-130222-6.
  12. ^ "Women's participation in UN peacekeeping operations: agents of change or stranded symbols?" (PDF). Fafo. Retrieved Apr 8, 2024.
  13. ^ "Women, peace and security". GAC. Feb 21, 2017. Retrieved Apr 8, 2024.
  14. ^ Karim, S.; Beardsley, K. (2017). Equal Opportunity Peacekeeping: Women, Peace, and Security in Post-Conflict States. Oxford Studies in Gender and International Relations. Oxford University Press. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-19-060243-7. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference USIP_UNSCR1325 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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