RESDAL contributes to the dissemination of a new 
IPI Policy Paper

RESDAL contributes to the dissemination of the new policy paper published by the International Peace Institute, “The Role of Military Gender Advisers in UN Peacekeeping Operations.” The publication underscores that implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda can significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions. In this context, Military Gender Advisers (MGAs) play a key role in integrating a gender perspective into the planning, execution, and evaluation of military operations. 

Authored by Phoebe Randel Donnelly, Anna Naa Adochoo Mensah, and Olivia Parsons, the paper analyzes the functions and impact of MGAs while identifying persistent challenges. Among these are inconsistent recruitment practices, unclear job descriptions, and the frequent “double-hatting” of advisers with additional protection-related responsibilities. It also examines the factors that influence the effectiveness of MGAs, including leadership support, professional background, gender identity, national and cultural dynamics, and resource constraints. 

In a context marked by fiscal pressures within the United Nations and growing backlash against the WPS agenda, the paper offers concrete recommendations to ensure that MGAs are fully integrated, adequately resourced, and properly supported. Strengthening these roles is presented as essential to improving the overall effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations. 

👉 Read the full policy paper: https://www.ipinst.org/2026/04/the-role-of-military-gender-advisers-in-un-peacekeeping-operations