Supporting uniformed women’s participation in United Nations peace operations

With Canada's support the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) aims to enhance the meaningful participation of uniformed women in United Nations peace operations. UNITAR is working with Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) to ensure barriers to women's meaningful participation are identified and the recommendations implemented. Project activities include: (1) conducting analysis to identify individual T/PCC barriers and opportunities for uniformed women in peacekeeping operations based on assessment results; (2) supporting institutional reform and developing gender-inclusive policies and practices; (3) conducting training and mentorship programs with a focus on leadership specializing in mid-level management training for women officers; and (4) conducting awareness-raising activities within each country to highlight the importance of gender equality and the benefits of women’s participation in peacekeeping operations.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) enhanced participation of uniformed women in United Nations peace operations along with institutional frameworks and policies better supports the inclusion of women. These efforts also helped to improve leadership and deployment opportunities for uniformed women and strengthened collaboration between institutions and security sector stakeholders on women's inclusion; (2) strengthened awareness among security institutions of the barriers and opportunities for uniformed women in peacekeeping roles; (3) strengthened commitment of senior leadership within security institutions on gender issues and gender-responsive peacekeeping; (4) strengthened leadership capabilities (knowledge skills and attitudes) of uniformed women; and (5) enhanced awareness of the mechanisms and importance of women’s participation in peacekeeping among key stakeholders including potential women recruits.