ABSTRACT
Police play an important role in contributing to peacebuilding in post-conflict states. They are involved in rebuilding or reforming police organisations as part of state-building processes. This involves working with local police to develop capacity, often with a gender focus in recognition of the gendered impacts of conflict. Since 2000, the United Nations has called for a gender perspective, through its Women, Peace and Security agenda. In practice, strategies are designed to increase women's participation in policing and improve efforts to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence. The aim is to incorporate a gender perspective in all phases of peacebuilding. However, effective implementation is not straightforward. This chapter considers some of the complex challenges associated with integrating a gender perspective in peacebuilding, including the approach to peace that is adopted and contributing countries’ own track records on gender. The chapter highlights some examples of promising achievements in peacebuilding for women and policing. These include the uptake of policing by women in post-conflict states, opportunities for female police officers involved in peacebuilding to develop skills and supportive networks and the promotion of broader social change that enhances human rights.
