DPKO guidelines provide for the integration of a gender perspective in peacekeeping operations. Accordingly, 18 military officers from UNMIL outposts in southeastern Liberia recently attended training in Harper in gender mainstreaming.

Peter Mokwe from the Gender Office told UNMIL Today the officers received lectures on basic concepts in gender, and how they could mainstream gender in their activities.

“The military officers also simulated how can they actually carry out a gender sensitive community outreach, and how they can mainstream gender in some of their CIMIC projects,” he said.

Mokwe said the guidelines are specifically for the military to improve their capacity so that they can implement the guidelines and to also have gender results while they do their work.

“It was actually the first time some of the participants were having an in-depth understanding of what gender is all about and how they can relate gender to their work and how they will be able to address gender issues on their work,” he said. 
A military facilitator at the training, Lt. Col. Zaide Magne, said the programme was a Training of Trainers (ToT) for military contingents assigned in Harper, Zwedru, Tappita, Fishtown and Pleebo.

Re-emphasizing the relevance of the training, Lt. Col. Zaide Magne said the military, is an integral part of the society  therefore, it is important to include gender issues in all of its activities in peacekeeping operations.