The AU Policy framework on Security Sector Reform has a section dedicated “ Gender Mainstreaming in the Security Sector Reform ”, highlighting that SSR processes will aim to:

• Implement gender best practices and women focused activities at all levels and in all the elements of the security sector;
• Improve the mechanisms for the prevention of SGBV with the aim of ending VAW. The policy includes rape and other forms of sexual violence in conflict zones under the definition of war crimes, and supports the relevant UNSC Resolutions and international, regional and national legislation that do the same;
• Involve women at all levels of SSR processes including in leadership positions, with the aim of creating gender balance in security sector institutions;
• Address specific needs of women and girls formerly associated with armed forces or groups as well as wives and widows of former combatants;
• Provide gender, international human rights and humanitarian law training to all security personnel;
• Increase the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in all security sector institutions.

The Guideline provides African stakeholders including the AU, AU personnel, AU MS, RECs, RMs, and Peace Support Operations with operational guidelines to assist in the planning for, and implementation of, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programs that respond to the needs of women. This is in recognition of the fact that many DDR programs do not respond to the distinct needs of women, do not consult them, and end up excluding them.

The Guidelines:

• Includes the most essential elements that need to be considered by national authorities.
• Affirm the Operational principles that should guide Member States in DDR programming:
  • Non-discrimination
  • Gender equality and women’s full participation
  • Voluntary participation and informed consent
  • Confidentiality and transparency
  • Respect for women’s human rights
  • Good practices

The Guideline provides African stakeholders including the AU, AU personnel, AU MS, RECs, RMs, and Peace Support Operations with operational guidelines to assist in the planning for, and implementation of, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programs that respond to the needs of women. This is in recognition of the fact that many DDR programs do not respond to the distinct needs of women, do not consult them, and end up excluding them.

The Guidelines:

• Includes the most essential elements that need to be considered by national authorities.
• Affirm the Operational principles that should guide Member States in DDR programming:
  • Non-discrimination
  • Gender equality and women’s full participation
  • Voluntary participation and informed consent
  • Confidentiality and transparency
  • Respect for women’s human rights
  • Good practices

The purpose of the Policy is to provide a strategic legal, operational and administrative framework for international policing in AU PSO-SO.  The need to adopt a gender perspective is one of the general principles of the Policy:  “ The AUPOL shall, in executing all its roles and responsibilities, observe the principles of AU Agenda 2063, the AU Gender Policy, in relation to the protection, rights and special needs of women, as well as UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and shall therefore incorporate gender considerations in all international policing programmes and activities .”

The AUPOL shall:

• Adopt a zero tolerance approach to prevent and address any incidents of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and any other form of harassment or exploitation, with specific emphasis on women.
• Promote non-discriminatory and adequate representation of qualified women in Host State police and ensure equal capacity and career development opportunities.
• Increase the representation of women at all levels of the Host State’s national police and law enforcement agencies.
• Implement monitoring and reporting mechanisms to focus specifically on the internal and external gender balance and gender mainstreaming objectives and activities of the AUPOL.
• Designate a focal point for gender mainstreaming, to advise and assist the AUPOL Management in the realisation and implementation of these objectives.

 

The Policy is dedicated to the specificity and challenges experienced by AU PSOs, with the aim to clarify what constitutes misconduct in PSOs and what procedures to follow at PSO level for each category of mission personnel in the field.  The AUC is responsible to ensure discipline of AU staff members, while discipline of military and police personnel shall be addressed by the T/PCCs.

Purpose

The Policy clarifies and describes the minimum standards of conduct expected of all mission personnel serving in AU PSOs regardless of their status and position in the mission.

It explains the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of mission personnel in upholding standards of conduct and the process to be adopted in addressing misconduct for the various categories of personnel.

The Policy is dedicated to the specificity and challenges experienced by AU PSOs, with the aim to clarify what constitutes misconduct in PSOs and what procedures to follow at PSO level for each category of mission personnel in the field.  The AUC is responsible to ensure discipline of AU staff members, while discipline of military and police personnel shall be addressed by the T/PCCs.

Purpose

The Policy clarifies and describes the minimum standards of conduct expected of all mission personnel serving in AU PSOs regardless of their status and position in the mission.

It explains the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of mission personnel in upholding standards of conduct and the process to be adopted in addressing misconduct for the various categories of personnel.

The AU policy on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development is intended to:

• serve as a guide for the development of comprehensive policies and strategies that elaborate measures that seek to consolidate peace, promote sustainable development;
• pave the way for growth and regeneration in countries and regions emerging from conflict.

The policy has 6 pillars, among which one on women and gender: (i) security; ii) humanitarian/ emergency assistance; iii) political governance and transition; iv) socioeconomic reconstruction and development; v) human rights, justice and reconciliation; vi) women and gender .

The Division designed a gender sensitive assessment tools to evaluate Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) implemented in Somalia in order to identify the different impact of the projects on girls, boys, women and men as well as to pinpoint any gender inequalities or gaps (Report available in the Relative Files). 

Key points identified

• Gender was not adequately mainstreamed in the QIPs due to the lack of a gender sensitive approach.

Lesson learnt

• AMISOM made an effort to mainstream gender throughout the project implementation cycles. Women were represented on the management committee of the project. Similarly, provisions were made for a separate offices, cells and washrooms for women. Nonetheless, gender was not adequately mainstreamed in the other QIPs due to the lack of a gender sensitive approach from project conceptualisation, implementation and post-completion. Consequently, men still dominate women in terms of leadership and management of these projects.

Recommendations

• There is need to critically think over QIPs implementation and aim to address critical areas where the issue of incorporating a gender-lens in implementation becomes central to countering the long-term effects of conflict on gender dynamics in Somalia.

The Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Division uses a tool called Africa Brief for monitoring online news sites.

Africa Brief  presents the top stories of the moment as “Breaking News” and gives access to all the topic areas.

Gender, Peace and Security is among the topic areas and specific customized “keywords” are used by the interface to capture the more relevant articles on the topic.

The Defence and Security Division has undertaken various activities in line with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The Division has mainstreamed gender in key documents and policies and has produced operational guidance notes on gender mainstreaming in key sectors:

African Union Policy Framework on Security Sector Reform Policy AU Operational Guideline On Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration for Women Guidance Note On Gender and Security Sector Reform

The Peace Support Operations Division has undertaken various activities in line with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The Division has mainstreamed gender in its:

Policy for International Policing in African Union Peace Support Operations and Special Operations (PSO-SO) African Union Policy on Conduct and Discipline for Peace Support Operations African Standby Capacity (ASC) Roster

The Conflict Management and Post Conflict Reconstruction Division has undertaken various activities in line with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The Division has mainstreamed gender in its key document:

Policy on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Gender Sensitive Evaluation

The Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Division has undertaken various activities in line with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The Division has included gender elements in its interface AfricaBrief.

AfricaBrief