GENDER and PEACE Training By Irene M.

Santiago

What a Gender Perspective DOES OR DOES NOT Involve

Bringing a gender perspective DOES NOT involve: Focusing exclusively on women Bringing a gender perspective DOES involve: Looking at the inequalities and differences between and among women and men Given that many initiatives overlooked womens interests, work and priorities it may be necessary to provide specific resources to women and womens organizations or focus attention on womens particular needs. The lesson from past initiatives is, however, that even initiatives that highlight women as the primary target group must be based in an understanding of gender roles and relationships. Treating women only as a vulnerable group Recognizing that both women and men are actors. Although conflict situations tend to increase peoples (both mens and womens) vulnerability, it is important not to relegate women to the category of victim. Women (as well as men) make choices, develop coping strategies, mobilize scarce resources and play significant roles in their communities. Designing interventions that take inequalities and differences between women and men into account. Some people translate the insight that gender involves looking at women and men into the conclusion that therefore both should be given equal opportunities. A crucial insight from a gender perspective however is that in order to have more equitable impacts, it will often be necessary to structure resources so that programs recognize inequalities and attempt to rectify them. Striving for equal or 50/50 (men/women) participation Moving beyond counting the number of participants to looking at impacts of initiatives. Although participation is important, it may not always be appropriate to set a goal of half women/half men participants in specific activities. It is more relevant to look at the overall impact of the intervention. Does the DDR initiative widen the gaps between women and men or move to narrow them (where possible)?

Treating women and men the same.

Assuming that all women (or all men) will have the same interests.

Understanding the differences among different groups of women (and men). Just as not all men share the same interests and priorities, neither do all women. There are class, ethnic, religious, age and other differences among women and these are often heightened during conflict. Recognizing that equal opportunities for women within organizations is only one aspect of a concern for gender equality. A common assumption is that gender issues primarily involve a concern for womens advancement within specific organizations or employment equity. The perspective advanced in this course (and in many institutional policies and international agreements as well) is much broader than that. In these areas, the focus is on the impact of the peace support operation on the affected population.

Focusing only on employment equity issues within organizations

Assuming who does what work and who has which responsibilities

Understanding the specific situation and documenting actual conditions and priorities Each situation and conflict must be understood on its own terms. It is misleading to carry assumptions about the gender division of labor or who are combatants or how societies reconstitute themselves following war from one country to another. Given that gender identities and relations can change over time and during conflicts themselves, it is important to carry out context-specific analysis and consultation.

Adapted from Gender and Peace Support Operations