Group 3
Group members
1. Vừ Minh Cường - LQT49B10629
2. Tăng Đức Minh - LQT49B10706
3. Triệu Văn Quyết - LQT49B10736
4. Hà Thế Nam - LQT49B10713
I. Introduction
Today, our group would like to present on the topic: “Gender Equality in
Peacekeeping” – an important issue in building lasting global peace.
The United Nations Peacekeeping forces play a vital role in maintaining security,
supporting reconstruction, and protecting civilians /sɪˈvɪl.jən/ in conflict-affected areas.
Within these missions, women are taking on increasingly important roles – not
only in military operations but also in healthcare, and community reconciliation.
Women bring unique strengths such as empathy, communication, and greater access to
vulnerable groups, especially women and children. These qualities significantly
enhance the effectiveness and humanity of peacekeeping missions.
Recognizing this, in the year 2000, the United Nations adopted Security Council
Resolution 1325, which highlights the essential role of women in peace processes and
calls for their greater participation.
However, as of 2023, women made up only about 7% of the military personnel in
UN Peacekeeping missions. This low figure shows that more needs to be done to
promote gender equality in this field.
Through this presentation, we aim to explore the current situation, the challenges, and
potential solutions to ensure women can participate more equally and effectively in
peacekeeping efforts.
II. Main contents
1. The Role of Female Peacekeepers in UN Peacekeeping Missions
Main Argument:
a. Specific Roles of Female Peacekeepers
● Engaging in Practical Operations:
Female peacekeepers conduct patrols, protect civilians, provide humanitarian
aid, and build infrastructure in conflict zones.
Example: Vietnamese female engineers in the UNMISS mission in South
Sudan have built schools, health clinics, and roads, significantly improving
local communities’ quality of life.
● Protecting Women’s and Children’s Rights:
They monitor and prevent gender-based violence, supporting victims in line
with the principles of Resolution 1325.
Example: Female peacekeepers organize workshops on women’s rights,
empowering local women to understand and claim their rights.
b. Advantages of Female Peacekeepers in Conflict Zones
● Building Trust with Communities:
Female peacekeepers can easily connect with local women and children,
especially in societies with strong gender norms where male peacekeepers face
barriers.
Example: In South Sudan, Vietnamese female peacekeepers have held meetings
with local women, creating safe spaces to discuss domestic violence and find
solutions.
● Enhancing the Image of UN Peacekeeping:
The presence of female peacekeepers demonstrates the UN’s commitment to
gender equality, earning trust and respect from local communities.
● Presentation Argument: The participation of female peacekeepers not only
boosts operational effectiveness but also inspires others, proving women can
excel in challenging environments while advancing Resolution 1325’s goals.
c. Inspiring Story: A Vietnamese Female Engineer
● Key Figure: Major Đỗ Thị Hằng Nga, a member of the UNMISS mission in
South Sudan.
● Achievements:
○ Led an engineering team to build schools and health clinics, improving
living conditions for hundreds of locals.
○ Organized skill-training programs for local women, helping them
achieve economic independence and reintegrate into their communities.
● Significance:
○ Major Hằng Nga’s contributions deliver tangible benefits and showcase
women’s leadership in military settings.
○ Her actions inspire women and girls in South Sudan to pursue education
and gain confidence in their societal roles.
● Presentation Argument: Major Hằng Nga’s story vividly illustrates the critical
role of female peacekeepers in building peace and promoting gender equality,
embodying the spirit of Resolution 1325 and global commitments.
2. The Impact of Female Peacekeepers on Women and Children in Conflict
Zones
a. Supporting the Protection and Empowerment of Women
● Female peacekeepers play a crucial role in safeguarding the human rights of
women in conflict-affected areas, in accordance with international obligations
under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols I and II
(1977).
● They actively participate in educational programs and awareness-raising
initiatives on women’s rights, aiming to reduce the risks of gender-based
violence, forced marriage, and sexual exploitation — issues that are highly
prevalent in conflict settings.
b. Protecting Children in Conflict Zones
● Female peacekeepers have a significant role in protecting children, particularly
orphans and war-affected victims, consistent with the 1989 Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC) and UN Security Council Resolution 1261 (1999) on
children and armed conflict.
● They engage in humanitarian programs in cooperation with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and UN agencies such as UNICEF, providing food, clean
water, medical care, and education for children in conflict zones.
c. Long-term Impact
● Female peacekeepers serve as positive role models, inspiring local women and
children by demonstrating courage, leadership, and capability in peace and
security operations.
● They contribute to gradually transforming social perceptions and gender
stereotypes in conflict-affected societies, shifting the image of women from
passive victims to peacebuilders and protectors of their communities — in line
with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and
Security.
● This long-term impact not only enhances the status of women within local
communities but also lays the foundation for more sustainable, inclusive, and
gender-equitable post-conflict societies.
Conclusion
The role of female peacekeepers extends beyond maintaining peace and security; they
actively protect and promote the rights of women and children in conflict zones, while
driving positive social transformation in accordance with international humanitarian
law and United Nations mandates. Their presence exemplifies the practical
effectiveness of gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping operations and the broader
framework of international law.
3. Challenge and solution
Gender stereotypes often reinforce the status quo and hinder the careers of women in
uniform. Since peacekeepers are deployed directly from national security institutions
of United Nations Member States—including the military, police, and judiciary—low
numbers of women in these institutions are reflected in UN peacekeeping operations.
The latest policy brief from the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance
(DCAF) identifies four persistent barriers across 20 sampled countries:
● The underrepresentation of women in the national security sector, including in
operational, tactical, and leadership roles;
● Deep-rooted gender stereotypes and beliefs among security personnel about
what men and women “can” do;
● Perceived bias, or the belief that gender inclusion efforts disadvantage men;
and
United Nations and Member States should:
● Research barriers and good practices for women’s participation in the security
sector,
● Implement policies and training to increase women’s meaningful participation,
● Boost recruitment and provide adequate facilities and equipment for women,
and
● Promote women to leadership positions.
III. Conclusion
Servicewomen are increasingly asserting their vital role within the armed forces and in
United Nations peacekeeping missions. They not only enhance Vietnam's international
image but also play a crucial part in promoting gender equality, building peace, and
supporting sustainable development in conflict-affected areas.
