UN Peacekeeping: Through a Gender Lens
Introduction
Peacekeeping missions are one of the United Nations’ most effective tools in maintaining international peace and security. The involvement of women in these operations has received increasing attention in recent years due to their contributions. The adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000 was a watershed moment. This resolution, titled “Women, Peace, and Security,” recognized the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women and the vital role they play in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. Resolution 1325 called for the increased participation of women in peacekeeping at all levels, from decision-making roles to on-the-ground military and police positions
Historical Background
Traditionally, the domain of peacekeeping has been male-dominated. Women first participated in peacekeeping in limited numbers, primarily in civilian roles. It was only in the 1990s that the role of women in peacekeeping began to receive serious recognition. This was largely due to the acknowledgment that women and children disproportionately suffer from the consequences of armed conflict and that the involvement of women in peacekeeping could lead to more comprehensive peace strategies. One pivotal moment came with the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000.
The Legal Framework
UN Security Council Resolutions
- Resolution 1325 (2000)
The most important legal instrument regarding women in peacekeeping is UN Security Council Resolution 1325. This resolution underscores the need for gender perspectives in peace processes and calls for increased representation of women at all decision-making levels. It emphasizes the importance of involving women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, and humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
In 2020, the UN celebrated the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1325, yet challenges remain regarding its full implementation. As of 2025, more women are involved in peacekeeping operations, but they remain underrepresented in leadership positions. The resolution has been the basis for subsequent resolutions, including Resolutions 1820, 1888, 1889, and 2493, which reinforce the need for gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping operations.
The resolution’s long-term impact can be seen in the development of National Action Plans (NAPs) by various UN member states. These plans provide a framework for implementing the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda within national policies and international peacekeeping missions. For instance, Sweden’s feminist foreign policy, launched in 2014, has been instrumental in pushing for greater gender equality in peace missions and ensuring that women’s rights are integrated into conflict resolution processes.
- Resolution 1820 (2008): Combating Sexual Violence in Conflict
Resolution 1820 is closely related to Resolution 1325 but focuses more specifically on sexual violence as a tactic of war. It calls for the deployment of more female peacekeepers to help protect women and girls from sexual violence in conflict zones. This resolution also emphasizes the importance of accountability and the need to prosecute those responsible for war crimes involving sexual violence.
- Resolution 1888 (2009) and Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Resolution 1888 built on the foundation laid by Resolutions 1325 and 1820, further emphasizing the need for leadership and accountability in addressing sexual violence in conflict. It established the position of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict to coordinate UN efforts in combating these issues.
- Resolution 2493 (2019): Moving Towards Full Implementation of WPS Agenda
Resolution 2493 reaffirms the commitments made in previous resolutions and calls for greater efforts to ensure the full implementation of the WPS agenda. It emphasizes the need for stronger monitoring and accountability mechanisms to track the progress of women’s participation in peacekeeping.
The Role of Women in Operational Peacekeeping
Women in peacekeeping play diverse roles as military personnel, police officers, and civilian staff. Their participation improves the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions in several ways:
- Community Engagement
Women peacekeepers are often more effective at engaging with local populations, particularly women and children, who may be hesitant to approach male peacekeepers due to cultural norms or past traumas associated with conflict.
For example, in Liberia, where sexual violence was widespread during the civil war, female peacekeepers helped rebuild trust with the local communities by addressing the concerns of women more effectively than their male counterparts.
- Gender-Sensitive Protection Efforts
Women in peacekeeping are essential to addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Peacekeepers, especially female officers, are critical in implementing gender-sensitive training and monitoring efforts aimed at preventing and responding to incidents of SGBV. This has been particularly evident in post-conflict regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where women peacekeepers have played an important role in supporting survivors of sexual violence.
Challenges Faced by Women in Peacekeeping
Despite the progress made since the adoption of Resolution 1325, several challenges hinder women’s participation in peacekeeping.
- Cultural and Institutional Barriers
One of the primary challenges women face in peacekeeping is the cultural and institutional resistance to their participation. In many post-conflict societies, gender norms are deeply entrenched, making it difficult for women to be accepted in roles traditionally occupied by men. This can lead to women being marginalized within peacekeeping missions, limiting their ability to contribute effectively.
Institutionally, the UN itself has struggled with gender parity. While efforts have been made to recruit more women into peacekeeping roles, women remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions.
- Underrepresentation in Leadership Roles
While women are increasingly involved in peacekeeping, they remain underrepresented in leadership positions within UN missions. According to UN Women, only a small percentage of senior positions in peacekeeping missions are held by women, and efforts to address this imbalance have been slow. This underrepresentation can diminish the influence of women peacekeepers in shaping peacekeeping strategies.
- Sexual Harassment and Abuse
Tragically, women peacekeepers themselves have sometimes been victims of sexual harassment and abuse, both from within their own ranks and from the local populations they are meant to serve. The UN has implemented strict codes of conduct and established reporting mechanisms to address these issues, but challenges remain in ensuring accountability and protecting women peacekeepers from abuse.
Case Studies
- The Role of Female Peacekeepers in Liberia
Liberia, a country that endured two civil wars, provides an example of the positive impact female peacekeepers can have on mission effectiveness. In 2007, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) deployed the first-ever all-female police unit with Mahila CRPF personnel from India. The unit’s presence increased the level of trust between the local population and the peacekeepers, particularly in addressing issues related to sexual and gender-based violence. Female officers were seen as more approachable, leading to an increase in reporting incidents of sexual violence.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
In the DRC, one of the most challenging peacekeeping environments due to ongoing conflict and widespread sexual violence, female peacekeepers have played a crucial role in providing support to survivors of gender-based violence. Their presence has also facilitated access to local women, enabling the peacekeepers to gather critical information about the situation on the ground.
- Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, 2016
The case of Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo before the International Criminal Court (ICC) highlighted the responsibility of military commanders to prevent sexual violence in conflict. The ICC found Bemba, a former leader of a Congolese militia, guilty of war crimes, including sexual violence. The judgment underscored the importance of addressing gender-based violence in conflict, an area where female peacekeepers play an instrumental role in providing justice for victims.
Conclusion
The role of women in peacekeeping is indispensable in modern peace operations. Their presence has been shown to improve mission effectiveness by enhancing engagement with local populations, especially women and children, and addressing critical issues such as gender-based violence and post-conflict trauma. Women bring diverse perspectives to peace processes, contributing to more comprehensive and lasting resolutions. However, significant challenges remain, including overcoming entrenched cultural barriers, underrepresentation in senior leadership positions, and logistical obstacles in deployment. While international legal frameworks, notably UNSC Resolution 1325, have laid the foundation for women’s increased participation, achieving gender parity in peacekeeping requires continued efforts at both institutional and operational levels. Greater political will, accountability, and targeted reforms are essential to fully realize the potential of women in peacekeeping, ensuring more inclusive and effective peace operations in the future.
Contributed By: Hetu (Intern)