Gendered Peacekeeping

The time after war when peacekeeping missions are deployed is very crucial for the rebuilding of a country. When a country needs post-conflict reconstruction, it often means that that country is in great need financially, physically, and emotionally. Peacekeeping aid does not always supply these needs to the best of its ability and the people, who suffer as a result of this, are women.

            It may not be taken into consideration that women are immensely affected by conflict and often do not get the help they need. Women are often victims of war crimes such as rape and sexual assault, yet when peacekeeping forces come into a country of conflict, help for these women is rarely, if at all. This is because in many cases, peacekeeping help that is given is usually men and they do not feel comfortable or are unable to deal with this type of situation. Also, women who have been assaulted are often unwilling to consult with men about these issues, as men are the ones that assaulted them in the first place, these women could lack trust in men. It was suggested in Nadine Puechguirbal’s article that “[o]rganizing pre-development gender training for peacekeeping personal” (Puechguirbal, 168). This training could make men more sensitive to the horrors that women in war have going through and may be more equipped to deal with what these women have gone through.

            War is often deemed to be masculine and that could be why it is often the case the mostly men are sent to help with post-conflict reconstruction. When war it thought about, in most people’s minds, people think that it is just men fighting men with big masculine weapons and as a result, it is just men that need peacekeeping aid. It is not often taken into consideration that women play a large part of war, therefor need help after the conflict is over, not just men. Peacekeeping needs to become more gendered, to help everyone and not just men (Puechguirbal, 165).

            War does not just effect or involve men, women play just as much of a role and are just as affected by it. Peacekeeping aids needs to realize this so women get the aid that they need. This will not just help women but the country as a whole: men, women and children. It would not be that difficult to make peacekeeping reconstruction more gendered and the outcome of such changes would be very beneficial.

              Puechguirbal, Nadine. “Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding and Post-conflict Reconstruction.” Gender Matters in Global Politics: A Feminist Introduction to International Relations. New York: Routledge, 2010. 161-175.