India is set to host the first-ever Conference for Women Peacekeepers on February 24-25, 2025, in New Delhi. Themed “Women in Peacekeeping: A Global South Perspective,” the conference aims to highlight the critical role of women in global peacekeeping missions and strengthen their participation, especially from the Global South.
The event is being organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), reinforcing India’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive security frameworks.
1️⃣ High-Level Participation from Across the Globe
🌍 Women peacekeepers from 35 Troop-Contributing Countries (TCCs) from the Global South will attend, making this a landmark gathering.
🎙 External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will deliver the keynote address, emphasizing India’s leadership in UN peacekeeping efforts and its dedication to advancing women’s participation in conflict resolution.
🏛 The United Nations will be represented by:
✅ Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations
✅ Mr. Christian Saunders, UN Special Coordinator
Other high-ranking officials, policymakers, defense experts, and peacekeeping veterans will also contribute to policy discussions and experience-sharing sessions.
2️⃣ Focus Areas of the Conference
🔹 Enhancing Women’s Role in Peacekeeping – Discussions on how to boost female representation in military, police, and civilian roles in UN peacekeeping missions.
🔹 Challenges & Best Practices – Addressing the unique challenges faced by women peacekeepers, while sharing best practices from missions worldwide.
🔹 Capacity Building & Training – Strengthening training, leadership programs, and support systems to empower women in peacekeeping operations.
🔹 Security & Policy Reforms – Exploring reforms to ensure greater safety, respect, and inclusion of women in global security frameworks.
3️⃣ Strengthening India’s Leadership in Peacekeeping
🇮🇳 India has been a pioneering contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, with over 275,000 troops deployed across 50+ missions since 1950. India has also been a strong advocate for gender-inclusive peacekeeping, leading the way with:
✅ First All-Female UN Peacekeeping Unit – India deployed the first-ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Liberia in 2007, setting a global benchmark.
✅ UN Training Programs for Women Peacekeepers – India actively trains women peacekeepers from various countries through CUNPK initiatives.
✅ India’s Commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – This conference aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions).
4️⃣ Special Interaction with the President of India
A significant highlight of the event will be a special audience with the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, where the participating women peacekeepers will be recognized for their courage, service, and dedication to global peace efforts.
5️⃣ A Milestone in Gender-Responsive Peacekeeping
The Conference for Women Peacekeepers is a historic step toward enhancing women’s participation in peacekeeping, particularly from the Global South. It underscores India’s unwavering commitment to inclusive global security, multilateral cooperation, and gender-responsive conflict resolution.