International Humanitarian Law and a Gender Perspective in the Planning and Conduct of Military Operations

Gender inequality persists in all countries worldwide and tends to be more severe in conflict-affected contexts. It can shape how different women, men, girls and boys experience the violence of war and its effects.

This report provides guidance as to how gendered harm arising from military operations can be better understood and sets out good practices to avoid and reduce it. It draws in particular from applicable international law, including IHL and international human rights law (IHRL), as well as policies, directives, and practices both at national level and within the framework of the United Nations (UN) Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Its intended audience is practitioners engaged in national security or defence who are seeking to better protect civilians and improve compliance with non-discrimination obligations using a gender perspective.