Just Add Women and Stir?

Abstract

Resolution 1325 (UN Resolution 1325).The unanimous passage of UN Resolution 1325 recognized, for the first time in the history of the Security Council, the link between gender equality, peace, and security.The 10th anniversary of this landmark resolution heralds a move toward implementing UN Resolution 1325 in peace and security operations to improve operational effectiveness.Today, gender equality is recognized as a force multiplier in operational planning and execution strategies.Yet when military planners and policy makers credit what has increased effectiveness in peacekeeping and security operations, they rarely, if ever, mention gender equality.Nevertheless, recent efforts made by UN peacekeeping missions and NATO to implement UN Resolution 1325, show that security actors are more successful when they take into account the different needs, status, and experience of men and women in the local population, and when peace and security missions include women in executing operations and decisionmaking.A growing body of evidence from the field reveals that the inclusion of women enhances operational effectiveness in three key ways: improved information gathering, enhanced credibility, and better force protection.Empirical evidence underscores the fact that attention to the different needs, interests, and experiences of men and women can enhance the success of a variety of security tasks, to the benefit of both civilians and soldiers. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325UN Resolution 1325 is an internationally recognized legal framework for promoting gender equality and addressing issues affecting women's peace and security at the local, regional, and international levels.UN Resolution 1325 is groundbreaking for several reasons.In the words of former UN Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury: 1The Security Council expressed for the first time in its history of 55 years its conceptual acceptance that peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men and affirmed the equal access and full participation of women in power structures and their full involvement in all efforts for peace and security . . . . 2 Sahana Dharmapuri is an independent gender advisor to a variety of international organizations, including USAID and NATO. She has lectured on gender, peace, and security issues at USAID, the Foreign Service Institute, and Harvard University. Ms. Dharmapuri is currently leading a Gender and Security Seminar Series at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Just Add Women and Stir? Spring 2011 57UN Resolution 1325 encompasses a range of complex issues such as judicial and legal reform, security sector reform, peace negotiations, peacekeeping, political participation, and protection from and response to sexual violence in armed conflict.The resolution champions the principle of gender equality above all, and urges the international community to move from aspiration to concrete actions on the ground.Skeptics may argue that UN Resolution 1325 was passed under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, not Chapter VII which invokes coercive enforcement and penalties for noncompliance and therefore UN Resolution 1325 is merely diplomatic window dressing.3 Supporters of UN Resolution 1325 point out that the unanimously passed Security Council resolution and its implementation is bolstered by Article 25 of the UN Charter which states, "Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with its present Charter." 4 Though slow to act, member states now have or are developing national action plans to implement UN Resolution 1325.Both NATO and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations are implementing new mandates on UN Resolution 1325.In 2006, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) issued its policy directive, "Gender Equality in Peacekeeping Operations." 5 In 2007, NATO adopted a Euro-Atlantic Partnership Counsel (EAPC) policy, tasking member states to develop practical proposals for the implementation of the resolution.In September 2009, NATO approved the Bi-Strategic Command Directive 40-1 Integrating UNSCR 1325 and Gender Perspectives in the NATO Command Structures Including Measures for Protection During Armed Conflict.The directive is applicable to all international military headquarters or any other organizations operating with NATO chains of command.6 The US armed forces have not yet mandated the implementation of UN Resolution 1325.However, recognizing the need to include women in their efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) created Female Engagement Teams (FETs).7 Along these lines, though without specific reference to UN Resolution 1325, the US Central Command's Office of the Staff Judge Advocate has issued a "Memorandum of Law Concerning Women in Combat Support Operations." 8 In 2008 and 2009, the UN Security Council passed Resolutions 1820, 1888, and 1889 (companion resolutions to UN Resolution 1325), signaling a political commitment to advancing the women, peace, and security agenda.UN Resolution 1820 and 1888 address conflict-related sexual violence, while UN Resolution 1889 addresses women's leadership in peacemaking and conflict prevention.UN Resolution 1889 calls for specific implementation methods, including a monitoring system and a set of indicators on UN Resolution 1325.9A set of indicators was produced in March 2010 in an effort led by UNIFEM.A report on gender and peace-building is also mandated.10 Despite this progress, significant challenges remain.Only 16 percent of peace agreements contain specific provisions on women's rights and needs.11 Recent UN reports indicate that less than 8 percent of proposed post-conflict recovery budgets identify spending priorities addressing women's needs.12 Only 24 of 192 member states

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