Violence against women (VAW) is the most widespread and persistent violation of human rights. According to a 2013 study from the World Health Organization (WHO), at least one in three women worldwide (35 per cent) will experience physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime, usually at the hands of someone they know. This means more than one billion women worldwide are affected by VAW.

At least one in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, often perpetrated by an intimate partner. Violence against women and girls is a fundamental human rights issue and a central challenge to development, democracy and peace.

The Essential Role of Women Peacekeepers

As peacekeeping evolves to encompass a broader humanitarian approach and mandates for protection of civilians, women are increasingly deployed in all peacekeeping domains—police, military, and civilian. They have made a positive impact on peacekeeping environments by supporting the role of women in building peace and by protecting women’s rights.

As peacekeeping evolves to encompass a broader humanitarian approach and mandates for protection of civilians, women are increasingly deployed in all peacekeeping domains—police, military, and civilian. They have made a positive impact on peacekeeping environments by supporting the role of women in building peace and by protecting women’s rights.

Female peacekeepers are essential for many of the functions carried out by the military and police in peace operations.

These essential functions include information gathering for early warning and human rights investigations; screening and assisting female ex-combatants during disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) processes; assisting survivors of gender-based violence; searching women and women’s quarters; mentoring female cadets at military and police academies; and providing medical care to women in segregated societies.

Today, out of approximately 125,000 United Nations peacekeepers, women constitute only 4 percent of military personnel and 10 percent of police personnel.

Women also account for approximately 30 percent of international civilian staff. The responsibility for getting more women into peacekeeping lies with the individual countries that contribute military troops and police.

To help prepare those American troops and police for the difficult tasks of peacekeeping, USIP’s Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding has been working in partnership with the State Department’s Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program to provide three-to-five days of training on practical nonviolent tools of communication, negotiation, mediation and other skills to deal with conflicts. The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) was established by Congress in 1984 as an independent, federally-funded national security institution devoted to the nonviolent prevention and mitigation of deadly conflict abroad.

UN International Network of Female Police Peacekeepers

For all current and former female UN mission participants, the UN has launched a female police peacekeepers’ network. Membership is free.

The network aims to help increase the representation of female police in peacekeeping operations across all ranks, bringing them to the forefront of efforts to restore law and order in the most troubled spots in the world.

The network is intended to serve the professional needs of current and former female UN police peacekeepers and provide a way to connect. The UN hopes to reach 2,014 members by 2014. To join, visit the Network’s website.

The United Nations International Network of Female Police Peacekeepers for the first time is uniting women in policing in peacekeeping operations to show that women have a role to play in global peace and security.

By actively engaging and utilizing the Network effectively, female peacekeepers will be empowered and will in turn empower others. By helping each other through mutual support, mentoring, training and advocacy, the Network can be a resource to realize one’s full potential.

CANADIAN Contribution to United Nations Peace Keeping – pdf

Canada’s role as a peacekeeper throughout the world began in the 50’s when Lester Pearson, Canada’s ambassador to the UN suggested that the organization might create a peace keeping force. This force could be injected into a war or conflict area in order to maintain a ceasefire while the respective combatants negotiated an alternative solution to fighting. Canada is known throughout the world for it’s readiness to contribute troops or support to peace keeping missions and has participated in more missions then any other country in the world. The missions listed on the left are the ones in which Canada has participated in and built a reputation for peace with.

The role of the United Nations supplying forces to keep the peace was first suggested by Mike Pearson, (Canadian Prime Minister) when he was serving at the UN as Canada’s representative. This idea was not only adapted by has become one of the central fixtures in UN activities throughout the world. Pearson was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for the inspiration and Canada has become the most important and respected player in Peace keeping duties, for the UN, throughout the world.

On September 21, 2014, we will be hosting in Toronto, Canada our GLOBAL WOMEN’S PEACE SUMMIT 2014.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION – GIRL RISING 2013

Details to Come – Stay Tuned!

SPONSOR & VENDOR APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED – REQUEST PACKAGES HERE

SPONSOR & VENDOR APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED – REQUEST PACKAGES HERE

Stopping violence, saving lives, healing shattered communities begins at home.

Together we can make this happen.

OXFAM – Close the Gap