The United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping mission has been in operation since 1948, with the UN Security Council authorising the deployment of UN military observers to the Middle East. The purpose of UN Peacekeeping is to assist countries on their challenging journey from conflict to peace. It deploys troops and police from around the globe, integrating them with civilian peacekeepers to fulfill a spectrum of mandates set by the UN Security Council and the General Assembly.
The Role of Women in the Peacekeeping Mission
Recently, a considerable number of female soldiers have started training to become part of this mission. The UN has advocated for more involvement from women in conflict prevention, post-conflict peacebuilding, and peacekeeping for over ten years. Women are now deployed in all areas – police, military and civilian, enhancing peacekeeping environments by supporting the role of women in building peace, and protecting women’s rights.
The Inception of Indian Women in Peacekeeping Forces
Back in 2007, India made history in UN peacekeeping by sending an all-female Formed Police Unit to Liberia post-civil war. Recently, Indian officials at the UN Security Council called for increased female participation in public life and the eradication of violence against women. This move was considered important for promoting lasting peace worldwide. Despite gender violence and male dominance in the profession, these female officers from India are busting stereotypes by representing their country globally.
Status Update: Women in UN Peacekeeping Forces
According to 2020 data, of approximately 95,000 peacekeepers, women constitute 4.8% of military contingents and 10.9% of formed police units. They make up 34% of justice and corrections government-provided personnel in UN Peacekeeping missions. Keeping this in mind, the UN Police Division launched ‘the Global Effort’ initiative to recruit more female police officers into national police services and UN police operations globally. The target is that by 2028, women should constitute 15% of military contingents and 25% of military observers and staff officers.
The Impact of UN Resolutions and Initiatives on Women’s Role
The UN Security Council resolution 1325 (UNSCR1325) has called for expanding the role and contribution of women in UN operations, including uniformed women peacekeepers. In addition, the UN Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative stresses on the Women, Peace and Security agenda as key to enhancing peacekeeping operations’ performance. It aims to make peacekeeping more gender-responsive by supporting women’s full participation in peace processes and increasing the number of civilian and uniformed women in peacekeeping at all levels and in key positions.
Why Women Peacekeepers are Essential?
Having more women in peacekeeping forces leads to greater diversity and broadened skill sets, which improves decision-making, planning, and results, ultimately bringing about operational effectiveness and performance. Women peacekeepers can access population segments difficult to reach, like women and children, and aid survivors of gender-based violence. They build trust within local communities and serve as inspiring role models for women and girls in post-conflict settings, encouraging them to advocate for their rights and pursue non-conventional careers.