Gender Mainstreaming In Peacekeeping Operations ... - Resdal

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Office of the Gender Adviser (OGA) commissioned in 2009,
the documentation of best practices for gender mainstreaming
in the Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia that have proven to
promote women’s rights and gender equality, covering the
period, 2003-2009.
Since the United Nations Mission In Liberia was established under
United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1509 (2003),
the OGA 2004 mandate to mainstream gender in the work of
the Mission, has been guided by the DPKO Policy Directive on
Gender Equality in UN Peace Keeping Operations, UNSCR 1325 on
women, Peace and security and UNSCR 1820 on sexual violence.
The promotion and support to gender-sensitive approaches has
supported UNMIL’s mandate to promote sustainable peace and
stability in Liberia.
The 14 years of civil conflict had a devastating effect on women
who survived sexual violence and exploitation and abuse and
further exacerbated the inequalities they faced even prior to the
war. During the conflict, women picketed, galvanized support
and mobilized to attend the peace negotiations and are signatory
to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) 2003 in which they
secured seats in the National Transitional Government. In their
continuing desire to ensure their participation in the recovery,
reconstruction and development of Liberia they worked to
vote into office Africa’s first female president and have tapped
on her political good will to further gender mainstreaming in
the country. This broadened the space for UNMIL OGA gender
mainstreaming work in Liberia.
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