Women in conflict areas
In regions at war men hold by tradition a special position and women's rights and significance for stability in a country are overlooked. In view of this, in 2000 the UN passed "Resolution 1325". It addresses the problem and requires that the situation of women in conflicts be particularly taken into account and that they be involved in the work of creating peace and reconstructing their country.
The main objective of Resolution 1325 is to strengthen women and their role in crisis and conflict areas.
The Resolution is regarded as unique since it builds on the vulnerability of women during and after war.
The UN thus establishes that war affects men and women differently, which consequently requires a broader and more nuanced method of working in peace support operations.
Soldiers taking part in operations must be educated concerning the realities of women and their particular needs, and learn to see and utilise women's skills as well as recognising their right to participate in social life.
The Resolution therefore calls for a gender perspective to be adopted in planning annd implementing operations.
Swedish action plan
Sweden and the Government have an explicit aim to live up to resolution 1325, and Sweden was one of the first countries in the world to adopt a national action plan.
The overall goal of the plan is to: "make visible and strengthen women's participation, power, influence, importance, security and enjoyment of their human rights before, during and after conflicts".
The work of the Ministry of Defence on the Resolution
The Ministry of Defence is responsible for implementing the work on Resolution 1325 in the areas of defence and emergency preparedness. This is mainly a matter for the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.
Both the Swedish Armed Forces and the Civil Contingencies Agency have increased the number of women in operations abroad as a first step. Without female soldiers and rescue service personnel it is difficult to make contact with the local women, who are restricted in their contacts with men due to cultural norms.
In Sweden both agencies invest in education about gender perspectives and the Armed Forces have introduced a system of gender advisors.
What is done in practice in the military area?
The gender advisor is included in the foreign missions and ensures that the gender perspective is integrated in daily work.
In concrete terms the soldiers support and visit female networks and conduct regular talks with female officials in local government. The military presence signals that the women are being protected, which makes them and their work safer. The Head of Contingent has also appointed the head of the womens department in the local government as a key person, who together with other key persons is regularly invited to camp meetings.
There is an important symbolic value in openly and in all contexts assigning the women equally great importance as the men.
What is done in practice in the civilian area?
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency has trained women in Pakistan and Lebanon as mine clearers and rescue personnel for example for earthquakes. The need for female rescue service personnel is great, as many women may not be "touched" by an unknown man and thus cannot receive help from a male rescue team. Through female personnel the rescue work can be more successful while raising the status of women in the social structure.
