Gender Mainstreaming In Peacekeeping Operations ... - Resdal

The OGA is part of a uniquely integrated UN mission. As co-chair
of the UN Gender Theme Group (UNGTG), along with UNIFEM
it works with key partners within the UN Country Team (UNDP,
UNFPA, UNIFEM, UNICEF and the RC’s Office) to coordinate
on gender in a strategic way, and supports the Government’s
and the UN’s gender mainstreaming initiatives. The OGA is also
a member of the various National Task Forces and Steering
Committees, including on SGBV, that support the United Nations
Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) working groups.
Liberian Women and the Historical Context
The 14-year civil war in Liberia pushed further the limits on women’s
equality. Instability, insecurity and the resulting economic
decline hampered their independence and human rights.
Violence against women during this time was normalized, along
with a culture of impunity. This led to wide-scale victimization
of women which further increased their vulnerability to
continuing abuse and sexual violence. Additionally, women lost
crucial access to infrastructure systems, economic assets, and
education, altering the gender dynamic of society as a whole.
As the country began to emerge from conflict, women
reasserted themselves through the peace process. In 1993, the
Liberian Women Initiative (LWI) brought together women from
different social and regional contexts to march in protest at
peace negotiations, both at home and abroad. By 2001, when
the peace process restarted, the Mano River Women Peace
Network (MARWOPNET) and the Women in Peacebuilding
Network (WIPNET) had gained considerable constituencies.
WIPNET asserted itself as the primary coordinator of a Mass
Action for Peace campaign, drawing in women from all walks of
life to stage sit-ins at formal peace negotiations.
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