Women of peace

The post-Cold War era has been characterised by an increase in the number and complexity of conflicts. The United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations - as defined by the secretary-general in the 1992 Agenda for Peace - have expanded and become increasingly complex. Today, UN peacekeeping missions include more non-military/ civilian components for preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution, peacemaking, post-conflict reconstruction and peace- building. These civilian components have required a broadening in the range of personnel and skills deployed, which go beyond the traditional role of the military. What defines these conflicts is their intra-state nature.