Lesson plan: U.N. focuses on women in war zones

October 26, 2000
Web posted at: 5:04 PM EDT (2104 GMT)

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Objectives

Students will:

• Discuss the impact of war on women and girls.
• Analyze the proposed U.N. Security Council resolution to ensure peacekeepers are trained on the protection, rights and needs of women.
• Predict what would happen if women played a larger role in U.N. peacekeeping efforts.
• Create action plans based on the U.N. Security Council resolution proposal.

Standards

National Council for the Social Studies
V. Individuals, Groups and Institutions

High school students must understand the paradigms and traditions that undergird social and political institutions. They should be provided opportunities to examine, use and add to the body of knowledge related to the behavioral sciences and social theory as it relates to the ways that people and groups organize themselves around common needs, beliefs and interests.

Materials

CNNfyi.com article, "Protection from peacekeepers"
Internet access (optional)

Suggested time

One to two class periods

Procedures

1. Ask students to think of problems caused by the mistreatment of women in war-torn countries. List students' suggestions on the board. Tell students that this lesson will focus on a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution to protect women and girls in these situations. Have students read the CNNfyi.com article "Protection from peacekeepers," then ask the following:

• What complaint do women have against U.N. peacekeeping troops in several countries? What does the proposed resolution entail? From what abuses were women calling for protection? What did the women's statement to the council refer to as "strategic weapons"? According to the article, how are these "weapons" used?
• Do you believe that appointing more women as envoys would ensure their participation in peace operations? Why or why not? Explain why you think special "gender advisers" have been appointed for some countries and not others. Do you think that this is fair? Explain. How will U.N. peacekeepers' training on protection and specific issues help the women and girls they serve? Would you add any other areas upon which these peacekeepers could improve?

2. Direct students to online or media resources to find information about places such as Sierra Leone, Kosovo and East Timor that have a U.N. peacekeeping presence. Instruct students to choose a location from their research to highlight. Have them find human rights abuses against women and/or girls that have been recorded in those places. They may use the related links below as additional resources. Allow students time to create action plans for the speedy resolution to these abuses.

Accommodation

Spatial: Students can create a world map, only including the countries whose female citizens have been abused at the hands of peacekeeping troops. Have students note the differences and similarities in culture, economic stability, population and government of those countries.

Assessment

Have students present their action plans to the class. Encourage the class to participate and question the various action plans during presentations.

United Nations
Global Issues: Women
Peace and Security
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
U.N. Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security

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