Armed conflict has a devastating impact on civilians, destroying livelihoods and property, separating families and causing physical and mental harm that is often irreversible. Women and children are among the most affected by violence, displacement and trauma. Women who are minorities or women living in poverty are made particularly vulnerable due to the discrimination and violence they face. Additionally, women are seldom included in peace operations and negotiations that have a direct impact on their lives.

Considering the different needs of women, men, boys and girls in armed conflict and emergency situations makes peace building, recovery measures and security policies more efficient and comprehensive. With this in mind, the UN Women Training Centre has added Module 11: Women, Peace and Security to the I Know Gender course. The module provides an overview of gender and women’s rights in peace and security contexts, the international framework for advancing these, and concrete examples from the field on how to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in peacebuilding and security initiatives.

The “I Know Gender” course of which this module is part of, aims to strengthen or develop awareness and understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment as a first step towards behavioral change and the integration of a gender perspective into everyday work.

For more information and to sign up for the “I Know Gender” course see the course overview page or visit our catalogue.