The Secretary General’s report on a potential mission to Somalia will likely be discussed in the Council in November. Despite the absence of specific gender expertise in the Technical Assessment Mission earlier this year, the mandate for such a mission must thoroughly address all aspects of women’s rights in conflict, and should:

• Take immediate steps to protect civilians, particularly women, such as disarmament and small arms embargo enforcement
• Provide necessary measures to ensure the rights of women and women’s rights defenders
• Provide well-resourced and politically-supported gender advice in the mission, to meet the needs of women in Somalia, and to engage with civil society members in the country, including supporting women’s inclusion in all levels of decision making
• Ensure that all peacekeeping troops deployed to the region are trained regarding specific mandates on women, peace and security, and on protection.

The Secretary General’s report on a potential mission to Somalia will likely be discussed in the Council in November. Despite the absence of specific gender expertise in the Technical Assessment Mission earlier this year, the mandate for such a mission must thoroughly address all aspects of women’s rights in conflict, and should:

• Take immediate steps to protect civilians, particularly women, such as disarmament and small arms embargo enforcement
• Provide necessary measures to ensure the rights of women and women’s rights defenders
• Provide well-resourced and politically-supported gender advice in the mission, to meet the needs of women in Somalia, and to engage with civil society members in the country, including supporting women’s inclusion in all levels of decision making
• Ensure that all peacekeeping troops deployed to the region are trained regarding specific mandates on women, peace and security, and on protection.