UN report identifies ways to address gender equality in peacekeeping

With the aim of strengthening the commitment and accountability of the United Nations to gender equality, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has issued a comprehensive plan for reinforcing and integrating women’s issues into the world body’s peacekeeping and post-conflict operations.

The new report prepared by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Women and Peace and Security tackles the broad application of gender equality as well as the protection of women through all phases of peacekeeping, humanitarian and post-conflict operations, addressing such issues as gender balance, gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse.

The plan which was mandated by a landmark Security Council resolution on women, peace and security adopted in 2000, draws on contributions from 37 different UN agencies and provides a blueprint for action to deliver concrete changes in how they conduct their activities in the years to come.

The Task Force aims to ensure women’s full participation in all stages of a given peace process, including in the negotiation and implementation of peace agreements as well as the drafting and negotiation of constitutions.

The report lays out in detail, by agency, how the UN will enhance gender equity with specific dates for attaining each goal. The plan also includes several measures earmarking budget allocations for gender-based initiatives – that is, making sure the financial resources to achieve these ambitious goals are available when needed.