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 UN MIS. 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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Declaration A and B i

Aapproval Sheet

Dedication

Acknowledgement ~iv

Table of Contents v

List of Acronyms

List of Tables

List of Figures XII

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

1.0 Background to the Study 1

1.1 Statement of the Problem 5

1.2 Purpose of the Study 6

1.3 Research Objectives 6

1.4 Research Questions 6

1.5 Scope 7

1.6 Significance of the Study 7

1.7 Operational Definitions of Key Terms 8

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 10

2.0 Introduction 10

2.1 Theoretical Framework 10

2.2 Conceptual Framework 12

2.3 Related Literature 14

2.3.1 Gender Awareness and Gender Equality 15

2.3.2 Gender Analysis Training and Gender Equality 16

2.3.3 Gender Planning and Gender Equality 17

CI1APTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .... 19

3.0 Research Design .19

3.1 Population 19

3.2 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure 19

3.3 Research Instruments 20

3.4 Validity and Reliability 21

3.5 Data Gathering Procedures 21

3.6 Data Analysis 22

3.7 Ethical Considerations 22

3.8 Limitations 23

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.0 Introduction 24

4.1 Profile of the Respondents 24

4.1.1 Gender of the Respondents 24

4.1.2 Age of the Respondents 25

4.1.3 Education Level of the Respondents 26

4.2 The Influence of Gender Awareness on Gender Equality 27

4.3 The Influence of Gender Planning Training on Gender Equality 31

4.4 The Influence of Gender Analysis Aspects on Gender Equality 33

4.5 Factors Affecting Gender Training Methods and Content in UNMIS 35

4.6 Strategies for Improving Gender Training and Equality in UNMIS 41

CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 43

5.0 Introduction

5.1 Discussions of the Findings 43

5.1.1 How Gender Awareness Influences Gender Equality in UNMIS 43

5.1.2 How Gender Planning Aspects Influence Gender Equality in UNMIS ......44

5.1.3 How Gender Analysis Aspects Influence Gender Equality in UNMIS ......46

5.1.4 Factors that Affect Gender Training Methods and Content in UNMIS .....47

5.2 Conclusions 48

5.3 Recommendations

5.4 Areas for Further Research 51

REFERENCES .

Appendix I : Questionnaire 54

Appendix II: Interview Guide for Key Informants’ Interviews 60

Appendix III: Calculations for Validity and Reliability of Instruments 62

Appendix IV : Introduction Letter for Research 63

Appendix V : Map of the Sudan: UNMIS Deployment 64

Appendix VI: Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 65