Speaking out on gender-based violence in conflict: An interview with Patrick Cammaert

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A leading international expert in peacekeeping, the impact of sexual violence in conflict situations and security sector reform, Major General Patrick Cammaert won the prestigious Carnegie-Wateler Peace Prize from the Peace Palace in The Hague in 2008. He has served in numerous capacities with both the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the United Nations. Working on many UN peacekeeping missions, he was the United Nations Force Commander of the Eastern Division in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and also lent his expertise as the Military Advisor to the Department for Peacekeeping Operations for the United Nations.

In this video interview, the now-retired Maj. Gen. Cammaert speaks to UN Women about why it is so crucial to involve more women in peacekeeping roles and why all UN peacekeepers need to be trained to identify and act to confront sexual and gender-based violence in conflict. He also talks about the scenario-based training courses he has led on behalf of UN Women and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations since 2011 and the most recent course specifically for women peacekeepers, held in India.