Barriers to the Engagement of Women in UN Peace Operations

Jun 24, 2024 | Eleanor Gordon
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Women’s meaningful participation in peace operations is critical to building sustainable peace. Yet, women continue to be marginalised, especially in senior roles, because of organisational, practical, work culture, and gender normative barriers.

Today’s peace operations have their origin in the early peacekeeping missions of the United Nations (UN) after World War II. They are intended to keep the peace in the immediate aftermath of armed conflict, often after a peace agreement and typically with the consent of the host country. Today, many organisations beyond the UN are engaged in peace operations (notably the African Union (AU), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), European Union (EU), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)). Peace operations also now involve civilian staff members, police, and corrections officers, and not just military personnel.