The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls - UNFPA

insecurity about the future, unemployment and fear <strong>of</strong> violence from outside and
inside the enclaves where they live.
<strong>The</strong> international Peacekeeping Missions have played important roles in
the reconstruction <strong>of</strong> Kosovo and in the protection <strong>of</strong> the minorities. Gender
perspectives and gender-mainstreaming, however, have not been included in the
work <strong>of</strong> the international community the way they should have been, according to
the policies <strong>of</strong> the United Nations and the European Union. <strong>The</strong> UNMIK Office <strong>of</strong>
Gender Affairs does not have the support, authority, expertise and funds needed
for the necessary training and policy-making inside UNMIK and for the
advancement <strong>of</strong> Kosovar women.
Many lessons are to be learned from the experience in Kosovo. Because
new “missions” will arise in different places, it is important to reflect upon and
improve the work <strong>of</strong> Peacekeeping Missions. <strong>The</strong> most important improvements
are:
• To share information, experience and to support one another in mission work;
• To emphasize the gathering <strong>of</strong> sex-disaggregated data;
• To make a cultural analysis <strong>of</strong> the area, and to increase the understanding
and knowledge <strong>of</strong> the international staff members, <strong>of</strong> traditions, laws and
religions in the country; and
• To gender sensitize all staff members, train them in gender analysis,
introduce them at United Nations conferences, and raise awareness about
women and girls in Kosovo and about their central importance and duties in
securing human rights for women.
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