Gender, UN and NATO: When Concepts Meet Reality

Gender balancing in multilateral peacekeeping (PK) makes PK more effective, reliable and accepted, a common knowledge of peace researches states. But where do stand fifteen years after the historic resolution S/Res 1325 (2000)? Does the international community rely on its promises to give women as blue helmets a chance? This paper discusses the issue of gender balancing in PK by analysing the peacekeeping mandates and gender programs of the two most important peace organisations, the United Nations and NATO. Both organisations publish very promising gender concepts but the reality of their military missions lacks behind. Only three per cent of the UN`s peacekeeper are women! Do the mandates give the unwilling troop contributors to much room for interpretation? Are the concepts weaker than imagined at the first sight? Do UN and NATO have to rework their gender policies? These questions guide the in-depth qualitative analysis. The paper contributes to the debates about gender balancing in Peace & Security, the future of multilateral peacekeeping and the adaptability of UN and NATO in times of great change.