Gender Training and Gender Equality in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: The Case of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (Unmis)

ABSTRACT The study on Gender Training and Gender Equality in the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) focused on analyzing how gender awareness influences gender equality in UNMIS, how gender planning aspects influence gender equality in UNMIS, how gender analysis aspects influence gender equality in UNMIS and on analyzing factors that affect/influence gender training methods and content in UNMIS, The study adopted a descriptive survey design. It also employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Stratified random sampling techniques were used in selecting the 150 respondents from the three components of mission personnel, namely civilians, military and police. Data was collected using self administered questionnaires and interview guide. The findings of the study state that gender training has a positive correlation with gender equality since it draws the awareness of peacekeepers on the need to uphold values of equal rights. Gender equality avails conditions for equal responsibilities and, most importantly, it instills conditions where opportunities are equally shared among men and women. The study further concluded that gender awareness, gender planning and analysis aspects improve gender equality in UNMIS, though their effectiveness needs to be studied at length as not all respondents consented with the strategy’s effectiveness. Finally, the study concluded that a number of factors affect/influence gender training methods and content at UNMIS. The researcher recommended, among others, regular training for senior staff on gender issues; gender-balanced composition of Gender Unit staff for equal representation and balanced power relations between men and women; and establishment of joint gender planning mechanisms between peacekeeping missions and other gender-driven stakeholders to facilitate access to and sharing of information on gender issues.