By Konrad Kodjo DJAISI
Deputy Commandant-Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPTC), Brigadier-General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, has noted that addressing gender-based inequities is essential to achieving long-term peace and security.
He observed that the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) emphasises the significance of gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping operations.
It is in view of this that KAIPTC has identified WPS as the third pillar of its 5-year strategic plan (2024-2028) and intends building African capacities to fully implement the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa protocol. (Maputo Protocol).
“In view of this strategic objective, KAIPTC identified the need to equip personnel working in Peace and Security spaces on the continent with the skills and tools needed to enable them undertake their responsibilities”.
The deputy-Commandant stated that usually the course is delivered in Sando (Sweden); however, it has been modified here at the KAIPTC and contextualised to be delivered in Ghana for the fourth time.
“The Gender Adviser’s Course delivered by the Folke Bernadotte Academy is unique – in the sense that the course is intended to improve your knowledge, abilities and competencies for providing effective gender advice in complicated peacekeeping and peacebuilding settings.”
While opening the 5-day course on Monday, May, 26, the Deputy Commandant said KAIPTC expresses its appreciation to the Folke Bernadotte Academy for the collaboration and funding support and look forward to a fulfilling course.
The integration of gender perspectives during all phases of an organisation’s activities is a growing demand in the Peace and Security field. Over the past five to ten years, there has been significant progress in policy development related to gender in peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
International bodies such as the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and African Union (AU) have all adopted comprehensive policy frameworks and committed to integrating a gender perspective into their operations.
Despite these policy advancements, a gap remains between the intent of these policies and their practical implementation in day-to-day activity.
To bridge this gap, gender mainstreaming training has become increasingly important, providing personnel with the necessary skills and tools to support gender integration effectively in the field of Peace and Security.
The training is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and it is being organised in collaboration with the Women Youth Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
At the end of the course, it is expected that participants’ capacity as Gender Advisors will be strengthened to mainstream gender and enhanced commitment to accelerate implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
