CSDR is the India consultant on this project, which is currently being conducted by Monash Global, Peace and Security Centre (Monash GPS). The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada, as part of the Elsie Initiative, to conduct a 3-year research project on the impact of having caring responsibilities (i.e. principally having children) on the representation of women in the armed forces and police service of Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) and the subsequent impact on the representation of women in UN peace operations. Globally, women with caring responsibilities have been — and continue to be — restricted in their ability to work in peace operations. This is a critical factor in the continued underrepresentation of women in peace operations, particularly uniformed women, where progress towards gender parity goals has been more challenging. This is despite increasing awareness of women’s meaningful participation in peace operations, underpinned by the UN Security Council’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
As the India consultant, CSDR will help identify best practices and factors that impact the meaningful participation of Indian peacekeepers with caring responsibilities in peace operations. CSDR is working with the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK), which acts as a regional node for excellence in UNPK capacity building and practicing UN diplomacy.