At the recent Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, over 130 UN Member States gathered to reaffirm their commitment to more inclusive and effective peacekeeping. Ms. Roselinda Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for Defence of Kenya, emphasised that “inclusive missions are not only fair–but also smarter and more legitimate.” Central to the discussions was the importance of fostering environments in which both men and women can contribute fully to peace operations. Despite progress, women continue to be underrepresented, particularly in military and leadership roles, limiting the impact and reach of peacekeeping efforts.

Evidence from peacekeeping missions demonstrates the operational benefits of gender inclusion. In Abyei, under the UNISFA mission, women peacekeepers have built critical trust with local communities, enabling early warning and violence prevention efforts. Similarly, in Lebanon under UNIFIL, a Ghanaian unit with 20% women has reported increased trust and engagement from the communities it serves. Women’s ability to connect with civilians has proved invaluable, especially in detecting threats such as conflict-related sexual violence. Their presence also helps dismantle gender barriers and serves as inspiration for local women and girls to participate in peace processes.

While gains have been made, such as the doubling of women in military roles since 2018, challenges remain. The current proportion still sits at just 10%, and structural barriers persist. Ill-fitting equipment, lack of gender-sensitive facilities, and inadequate support systems continue to undermine women’s participation and safety. These gaps hinder not just women, but the overall mission performance. Addressing them is essential to creating an environment where all peacekeepers, regardless of gender, can operate effectively and confidently.

Member States are responding by committing to tangible actions, including deploying mixed-gender platoons, funding barrier assessments, and improving equipment and accommodations. Leadership also plays a crucial role. As Gen. Mohan Subramanian, Force Commander of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, noted, mission leaders must have the right mindset to support uniformed women. Brigadier General Jürgen Schrödl stressed that inclusion must start at the national level. With conflict on the rise and budgets shrinking, empowering women in peacekeeping is not just a matter of fairness–it is a strategic imperative. As Monica Bolaños Pérez underscored, “Meaningful inclusion of women is not optional, it is essential.”

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