Women play many roles in peace, security, conflict and disarmament. While the issue of women, peace and security has been addressed in several landmark UN Security Council resolutions, gender and disarmament linkages are not immediately apparent. And yet women and men are differently affected by, and involved in, issues related to disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.
This course provides, first and foremost, a brief introduction into basic concepts and definitions related to gender. Second, it identifies linkages between the issues of gender and disarmament. In addition, men and women are affected differently by armed conflict and act differently in armed conflict. Generally, more men than women are killed during war; more women are displaced by war; and more women are victims of sexual violence. Social and economic roles change during war. Men, especially young men, are more likely to take up arms or be forced to join armed groups; and parties to conflict may be more likely to treat men rather than women as combatants.
What will participants learn?
- Basic concepts and definitions related to gender
- How women are differently affected by, and involved in war and conflict
- Actions of the UN system, particularly landmark Security Council resolutions related to women, peace and security
Diplomats, especially those new to disarmament matters; interested individuals from academia, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations; the media and the general public.
Components and Methodology:
The course takes approximately 30 – 45 minutes to complete.
The course is available in English and is held in the Disarmament Education Dashboard, thus participants need a computer or mobile device, with audio and reliable internet connection. No special software is required.
Upon successful completion of the course, including examination and course evaluation a certificate of completion will automatically be issued to the participant.
The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs Short Course Series aims at making available quality education material on disarmament, arms control, non-proliferation and issues cross-cutting with security, such as gender and development. The courses are targeted for and available to the general public at UNODA’S globally accessible e-Learning platform disarmamenteducation.org.
In line with the UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament this short-course series aims to contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.