Women moving forward in peacekeeping

A female Para-Military forces soldiers from India's Rapid Action Force (RAF) calls relatives ahead of her unit's departure on a United Nations Peacekeeping mission. Credit: AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN / NTB Scanpix

The Good News of the Week: A record number of women are serving in leading positions in UN peacekeeping operations. The share of women among uniformed personnel serving in the field has risen from 1 to 6 per cent since 1993.

Uniformed women in international peace operations are still a rare sight. But the number of female military, police and justice personnel in UN field missions is steadily growing. In 1993, women made up only 1 per cent of uniformed personnel. Today, this share has risen to 6. The gender gap is widest in military contingents, with 4,7 women in 2019, and still long way left to reach the target of 15 % women by 2028.

But the number of women has increased in UN peace operations overall, and among individual police officers, for example, the target of 30 % women is practically achieved (28,9 % as of 2019). 

A record number of women are now serving in the most senior military roles in UN peace operations ‐ with two women Force Commanders and two women Deputy Force Commanders. 

On the civilian side, the percentage of female Heads and deputy Heads of Mission in peacekeeping operations was 35%, as reported this February, with 3 women Heads of Mission and 5 women deputies currently serving, UN figures show.

As a part of the UN Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy towards 2028, member states are requested to nominate a certain percentage of women to certain positions, to help meet the uniformed gender parity targets. The UN Police has created a talent pipeline of 170 female police officers to help identify and support women for leadership positions.

According to the UN, more women in peacekeeping means more effective peacekeeping.

"Women often have greater access in the communities we serve, enabling us to improve the protection of civilians, promote human rights and enhance overall performance,"
says UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Did you know that....

..the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces were awarded the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize for preventing armed clashes and creating conditions for negotiations.

Graphic: Nobel Peace Center

PEACE DOVE WITH GOOD NEWS

Every Friday at noon, the Nobel Peace Center will release a peace dove together with “The good news of the week.”The dove is released from a window at the Nobel Peace Center, situated on the City Hall Square. As the dove crosses the square, the John Lennon song Give Peace a Chance will play from the bell towers.