Women, policing and peacebuilding in post-conflict states

Peacekeeping and peacebuilding in conflict-affected states are key areas of endeavour in international policing. Following an initial peacekeeping phase, the focus shifts to peacebuilding. As part of state-building agendas that promote the maintenance of peace after conflict, police officers from contributing countries are involved in the establishment, reform and capacity development of police organisations. These programmes typically incorporate a focus on gender, due in part to increased awareness of the gendered impacts of conflict, and increased recognition of women’s formal and informal roles in resolving conflict. Since 2000, the United Nations (UN) has called for a gender perspective, through UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and subsequent resolutions. However, effective implementation is not straightforward. This chapter considers some complex challenges associated with integrating a gender perspective in peacebuilding and highlights some examples of promising achievements in peacebuilding for women and policing.