The University for Peace (UPEACE) was established in 1980 within the UN framework, with the mission to undertake postgraduate education, training and research on issues related to conflict prevention, security and peace. The Department for Gender and Peace Studies at UPEACE is motivated by the idea that peace, gender equality and gender equity are inextricably linked. Through gender mainstreaming, the Department aims to inspire decision-makers to use a gender perspective as an instrument of analysis to avoid gender-based discrimination, injustice and inequality and to take advantage of the particular qualities that men and women possess when working to prevent violence, transform conflicts or influence post-conflict environments.