The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls - UNFPA

Report <strong>of</strong> Working Group Three:
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> Peacekeeping Operations on Women and Girls
Introduction
<strong>The</strong> following issues were considered regarding the complexities <strong>of</strong> the
presence <strong>of</strong> peacekeeping organizations in conflict settings and the subsequent
public health effects on women and girls. Issues raised were based on general
recommendations, which included implementing gender-sensitization
programmes in peacekeeping situations; appointing gender focal points in
peacekeeping missions; gathering gender-disaggregated data; and improving
cooperation among United Nations organizations and agencies.
United Nations Resolution 1325 supports:
• <strong>The</strong> incorporation <strong>of</strong> a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations and
urges the Secretary General to ensure that, where appropriate, field
operations include a gender component;
• <strong>The</strong> Secretary-General is seeking to expand the role and contribution <strong>of</strong>
women in United Nations field-based operations, especially among military
observers, civilian police, and human rights and humanitarian personnel.
<strong>The</strong> primary principle emphasized in the following recommendations
recognizes that working with peacekeeping organizations is an arena for positive
change. It is an opportunity to introduce and exemplify United Nations values
through its missions, particularly via gender-sensitive principles that are not
readily or consistently embodied in practice. It also serves as a point from which
to prevent further detriment to public health in post-conflict settings, and to
reinforce United Nations accountability through all <strong>of</strong> its bodies and activities. <strong>The</strong>
following presents the context <strong>of</strong> peacekeeping operations, identification <strong>of</strong> the
general problems associated with them and positive opportunities for
interventions at global and local levels.
Context <strong>of</strong> Peacekeeping Operations
In many post-conflict settings, a variety <strong>of</strong> adverse health outcomes exists
for women and girls. Poverty, disrupted economic structures and high levels <strong>of</strong>
unemployment result in the severe economic vulnerability <strong>of</strong> households and
individuals and in high proportions <strong>of</strong> female-headed households, in particular.
<strong>The</strong> damage to multiple levels <strong>of</strong> infrastructure, such as transportation,
sanitation, service and communications, has negative impacts on the health <strong>of</strong>
the public. In addition, the damage to social services, health facilities and other
provisions results in compromised health outcomes. Access to health and social
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