The barriers that continue to exist for women personnel in peacekeeping are not only a matter of equity—they directly undermine the operational effectiveness, legitimacy and impact of peace support operations around the world. At Gender Associations, we are committed to dismantling these barriers through targeted, evidence-based and value-driven initiatives to make UN Peacekeeping Missions around the world more effective.
In partnership with UN Women and the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), we are proud to deliver leadership, empowerment and networking modules for women military peacekeepers, as part of the Women’s Military Peace Operations Course (WMPOC). This course supports women’s advancement and influence within mission environments and contributes to broader efforts to create more inclusive and capable peace operations, where diverse leadership is not the exception, but the norm. In 2024, we delivered this module in Bangkok, Thailand, and will deliver upcoming sessions in Morocco and Finland in 2025. To ensure contextual relevance, we work closely with local experts familiar with military environments. The course provides a vital space for peer learning, strategic networking and leadership growth among military women serving or preparing to serve in UN peace operations.
Our knowledge on the existing barriers facing women in peacekeeping also stems from the detailed reviews we have conducted of the global Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, as well as the Elsie Initiative Fund. We have worked with the Government of Canada as well as with UN Women to measure the effectiveness of these global initiatives and their abilities to break down barriers for women in UN peacekeeping and to contribute to concrete solutions to strengthen their participation.
You can read one of our full evaluation reports here: Download PDF
