HomeUnited NationsGrant to UN Mission in Mali boosts inclusivity for women in peacekeeping

Grant to UN Mission in Mali boosts inclusivity for women in peacekeeping

Through its separate EIF-funded project, Senegal aims in order to tackle structural barriers in order to women’s meaningful participation in the national police by deploying gender-strong units to UN peacekeeping, establishing a roster of trained women pertaining to deployment, adopting a sex policy and stepping up women’s recruitment.   Togo ranks sixth in the list of countries providing police officers helping with the UN.   The country also received an EIF grant to conduct a study to assess the barriers, opportunities and challenges faced simply by its women police officers in order to increase their meaningful participation within UN operations.  

Scaling up numbers 

Senegal happens to be the largest police contributor to UN peace operations.   Nigeria is the 15th largest police contributor to UN peace operations.   The allocation is through the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF), which supports women’s meaningful participation in UN peacekeeping overall.    

The supportive environment 

Mixed-gender FPUs improve engagement with communities they serve and enhance the Mission’s capacity to deliver upon its mandated tasks, which includes public order management plus high visibility patrols.   The funding comes at a time when three nations that contribute police officers to UN field operations – Nigeria, Senegal and Togo – have committed to improving and sustaining the deployment of women in Formed Police Units (FPUs) in the arriving years.   “The operational performance and professionalism of feminine personnel in the security allows is a well-known fact. Consequently , I am grateful for this task – it will allow all of us to transform our eyesight to increase women’s participation within our FPUs into a reality, ” he said.  

Handling structural barriers 

Senegal plans to scale up from a current level of 18 per cent in order to 26 per cent in 2025. Togo will look to dual women’s deployment from 11 per cent to 25 percent, while Nigeria will aim to maintain its current rate associated with 24 per cent.   MINUSMA will use the grant to construct 7 accommodation units, 19 cleanliness facilities, four laundry devices and a dedicated recreational space, which will improve working and living conditions for women peacekeepers.   Over the past decade, it has produced the advancement of women’s meaningful participation a priority, in addition to incorporating gender perspectives straight into operations.   Togo’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Brigadier General Damehame Yark, underscored the project’s significance.  

Vision in to reality 

In a declaration last year commemorating the integration of women within FPUs, the Senegal National Police suggested the provision of gender-sensitive accommodation being a pre-condition for inclusive peacekeeping.   MINUSMA may be the first UN peace procedure to have two women top its police component : as Police Commissioner plus Deputy Police Commissioner.   Yet “to reap the benefits of having more diverse teams in peacekeeping we need to create an enabling environment that will support women’s meaningful participation”, said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General intended for Peace Operations.   Women should have identical opportunities to deploy to the industry, and their contribution to the operational success of peacekeeping missions has been crucial, according to UN Peacekeeping.   “This support from the Elsie Initiative Fund contributes to gender-responsive peace operations that can better help build and protect peacefulness and security worldwide, ” he added.  

Commitment to progress 

“Nigeria has been consistently contributing mixed-gender devices to MINUSMA. We prefer the support from the Elsie Initiative Fund that will make a significant impact in improving the residing and working conditions associated with peacekeepers, ” said Alkali Baba Usman, Inspector Common of Police.   The force’s Inspector General, Seydou Bocar Yague, welcomed this project as being a milestone that will enable the particular sustainable increase in their deployment of women to MINUSMA.   MINUSMA could be the second UN Mission, following the Organization’s force in Lebanon, UNIFIL , to receive an EIF give to create a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable environment.  

Source

Stay Connected
255FansLike
473FollowersFollow
Must Read
Related News