Peacekeeping and security
Contemporary UN peace operations face complex threats when protecting civilians. Conflict affects women, men, girls, and boys differently, and military and police personnel need to understand these differences to respond effectively.
UN Security Council resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions require military, police, and justice institutions to be gender-responsive. They must uphold human rights, ensure accountability to women and girls, and support their meaningful participation and leadership at all levels.
Principles and performance
Because they serve entire populations, gender-responsive peace operations and security institutions are more effective, credible, and sustainable. They perform better in complex environments by strengthening:
- protection of civilians and harm mitigation
- community engagement
- intelligence-gathering and early warning
- conflict prevention
Gender-responsive institutions reinforce the rule of law and build public trust. These are both essential for peace and recovery, especially where legitimacy is fragile and contested.
Police institutions are often the first point of contact for people in communities seeking safety and the protection of human rights. The presence of women police strengthens this engagement. It may bring critical insights into community dynamics and protection strategies, including to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
In peacekeeping missions, women peacekeepers can engage with people who may otherwise be harder to reach, depending on cultural factors and the operational context. They can act as role models for gender equality and encourage women’s participation in peace and political processes.
Coordinated reforms
Institutional resistance and structural barriers to women’s participation remain common across military, police, and justice institutions. Many lack sufficient gender expertise. Progress requires coordinated strategies, including:
- increasing the number of uniformed women in the military and police, including in leadership roles
- integrating gender perspectives into policy, planning, training, and daily operations at all levels
- providing survivor-centred responses to gender-based violence
- creating safe spaces for women and marginalized groups
- sharing gender expertise across United Nations, regional, and other international partners
- supporting programmes such as the Women’s Military Peace Operations Course and the Elsie Initiative Fund to expand opportunities, readiness, and leadership capacity
- advocating for national police and security sector reforms aligned with human rights and women, peace, and security commitments
- strengthening accountability to all women and girls
- preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and conflict-related sexual violence through partnerships, training, capacity-building, and advocacy
