Gender


The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre (PPC) believes that gender equality a basic prerequisite of any sound, equitable and sustainable peace operation. That’s why we’ve mainstreamed gender issues into all of our training and education modules. Like the UN, we define gender to be men, women, girls and boys; because gender norms and stereotypes limit the possibilities of both women and men, gender equality can be a winning proposition for everyone.

In 2000, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325 – a landmark decision mandating the inclusion of women in peace processes. It calls upon all parties to protect women in armed conflict and to integrate gender perspectives into peace operations. The effects of this resolution are apparent: the Nigeria Police Force, supported by the PPC’s West African Police Project (WAPP), has recently created an all-woman platoon, currently being trained for eventual deployment. And for the first time in history, women have been accepted into the Gendarmerie in Mali and Senegal in Africa.

Gender-specific needs are often overlooked when it comes to relief and recovery planning following a crisis or conflict situation. The PPC provides a neutral space where experts and women’s groups can come together and discuss gender as it relates to all aspects of peace operations. We have hosted several roundtable discussions examining the issues surrounding the mainstreaming of women in peace operations. Looking at the challenges to integration and the operational advantages of ensuring women have a strong presence in peace operations, 38 participants from 13 countries participated in the most recent roundtable in 2006 – including Rachel Mayanja, UN Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women.

For more information, please send us an email.