Peace and Security - Still a Gender Blind Perspective?

Manon Letouche, Intern at UNRIC, Benelux and EU Desk

If a few – mainly female – authors have written about women in times of war and conflicts, it was mainly to talk about women as victims of gender based violence. This article will focus on another aspect of sex-specificities of conflicts: the vital role that women can play in times of war and what they can contribute in order to build and maintain peace. This role has largely been ignored but gradually people have started to recognize that women could be proactive in conflict resolution and peace building.

International relations and peace studies are certainly one of the most masculine of the social sciences, and it is fair to say that for a long time theories of security were gender blind. Then, the wars in Rwanda and Yugoslavia brought about a new challenge: Inte-rsection of gender and communal identities with gender-based sexual violence used against women as a war strategy. In addition to the fact that women were victims, several studies have demonstrated that peace forces comprising men and women have a more efficient and “easing” impact . Indeed, local women tend to see female peacekeepers as more approachable and less threatening than male peacekeepers and are more likely to report to a female officer.

Increasingly, the international community has recognized the positive contribution that women can make regarding conflict resolution and peace building. The United Nations and other international organizations – notably the OECD, the Council of Europe, the G8 and the European Union – have made commitments on this subject. Resolution 1325 from the Security Council of the United Nations requires member states to provide protection for women and girls in war and to ensure the full participation of women in humanitarian, conflict resolution, peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction initiatives. But so far, only about ten countries have implemented it and almost all are countries of the European Union. The mission in Congo – EUFOR RD Congo- was the first European Union military operation to implement Resolution 1325 in a structured and organised way. Working with a gender perspective contributed to the achievement of the overall operation’s objectives and to its effectiveness.

Apart from the importance of having female peacekeepers on the ground, one should not forget the empowerment of local women, another point raised by Resolution 1325. In times of conflict, women have often played a crucial role in helping to preserve social order and keeping society from collapsing. Numerous historical examples show that women have often been peace and democracy protagonists, such as in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Nepal, Philippines or Iran where women’s movements have challenged authoritarian regimes. They have also been peace activists witness Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and in the Balkans. These women should get the credit they deserve.

Though declarations and resolutions are being taken, their implementation remains to be felt. Generally local women have not had the opportunity to participate equally and their role in peace processes has not been taken into account. From practical experience, notably in the Congo, it is necessary to take gender into account at each stage of a peace-building mission in order to guarantee its (even relative) success. We must put words into actions. The Security Council considered a new resolution on women and security on 30 September. Let’s hope that this one will have more practical impact than Resolution 1325 and let’s not forget what Mohandas Ghandi told us: If non-violence is the law of our being, the future is with women.’■

UN Security Council resolution 1325
Main points:
- Protection and respect of the human rights of women and girls;
- Equal participation of women in all efforts for the maintenance
and promotion of peace and security;
- Full participation of women in decision-making functions in
conflict settlement and peace processes;
- Mainstreaming a gender perspective in all areas of peace
missions;
- Particular protection and allowance for the needs of women and
girls in IDP and refugee camps;
- Allowance for the different needs of female ex-soldiers;
- Support of local peace initiatives by women;
- Training peacekeeping soldiers in the human rights of women.