Women, men, girls and boys experience and take action differently in the context of armed conflict, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and reconstruction. Gender relations and roles affect the ways that men and women, boys and girls experience violence, behave in situations of peace and conflict, and deal with insecurities. Armed conflict and transitions to peace transform gender roles and relations as both women and men often take up roles during conflict that they might not do in peace time.

Women and girls, in particular, have become strategic targets in armed conflict. Violence against women remains one of the largest global threats to human security in all societies. Gender-based violence rarely stops when peace agreements are signed. In fact, gender-aware approaches to conflict and security show that peace is often an arbitrary concept: the absence of armed conflict does not necessarily mean the end of violence.

The vision of UN-INSTRAW’s Gender, Peace and Security Programme is to promote gender equality and women’s full and equal participation in the realms of peacekeeping, peace processes, post-conflict reconstruction and the reform of security institutions. In line with UN-INSTRAW’s institutional objectives, the programme promotes applied research, facilitates knowledge management, and supports capacity-building in order to promote an inclusive peace and human security for women and men, girls and boys, around the world

Virtual Discussion: Filling the Gaps: A Virtual Discussion on Gender, Peace and Security Research 13th- 31st of October 2008 **FINAL SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!** UN-INSTRAW brought together the members of its Gender, Peace and Security Research Directory and academics around the world in a virtual dialogue. The aim of this discussion series was to assess current debates in gender, peace and security research with a goal of exchanging information, identifying research gaps, and building a platform for further collaboration. Contact Ciara Daniels at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

[Photo reference: UNDP Afghanistan] Information on the virtual discussion: Concept Note Week One Summary Week Two Summary Week Three Summary