Civil society representatives addressed the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, urging the incorporation of gender perspectives into all elements of peacekeeping missions. The speakers highlighted how the critical situation in Sudan underscores the necessity for the United Nations to learn from past peacekeeping missions, particularly regarding the safety and security of women.
Kholood Khair, Founding Director of Confluence Advisory, criticized the United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID)’s withdrawal in 2020 before establishing a national force, resulting in a “huge protection vacuum” and increased violence against women and girls in Darfur. According to Khair, the recent termination of the United Nations Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) in December 2023 further exposed the Council’s failure to consider Sudanese women’s needs and perspectives, exacerbated by the full-scale war across Sudan (source).
Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), stressed that gender equality is fundamental to United Nations peacekeeping operations. She cited the example of the UN peacekeeping mission withdrawal in Haiti, which led to a marked increase in gang-related sexual violence incidents. She emphasized that women and gender issues often remain underrepresented or absent during negotiations for mission drawdown or withdrawal.
Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, argued against rushing the transition process amid political tensions and security threats. Pobee pointed out that the Peacebuilding Fund plays a crucial role by providing targeted funding to address protection gaps, as seen in Liberia, where the Fund supported increased women’s participation in conflict prevention before and after the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) withdrawal in 2018.
Representatives from various countries reiterated the importance of ensuring that peacekeeping mission drawdowns did not lead to setbacks in women’s rights and gender equality. The representative of the United States emphasized that the international community must incorporate gender-sensitive policies and prioritize the needs of women and girls during mission transitions. China’s representative stressed promoting women’s empowerment through development.
Francess Piagie Alghali, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Council President for the month, concluded by asserting that including women in peace processes is essential for durable peace, given that peace agreements are more sustainable when women are involved in their negotiation and implementation.