Funding of the United Nations Mission in Mali strengthens the inclusion of women in peacekeeping
This allocation is from the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF), which supports the meaningful participation of women in UN peacekeeping operations at large.
This funding comes at a time when three countries that contribute police officers to UN field operations – Nigeria, Senegal and Togo – have pledged to strengthen and sustain the deployment of women in the field. established Police Units (FPUs) in the coming years.
Digital scaling
Senegal plans to scale up from the current 18% to 26% by 2025. Togo will seek to double the women’s deployment rate from 11% to 25%, while Nigeria will aim to maintain it. The current rate is 24%.
APART FROM will use the funding to build 7 housing units, 19 sanitation facilities, 4 laundry units, and a dedicated recreation space, helping to improve living and working conditions for female conservators. keep the peace.
Women should have an equal opportunity for field deployment and their contribution to the operational success of peacekeeping missions is critical, according to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.
A supportive environment
Multi-gender FPUs improve engagement with the communities they serve and enhance the Mission’s capacity to perform delegated tasks, including public order management and high visibility patrols .
But “to reap the benefits of having more diverse teams in peacekeeping we need to create a favorable environment that will support the meaningful participation of women,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.
He added: “This support from the Elsie Initiative Fund contributes to gender-responsible peace practices that can better help build and protect peace and security around the world.”
Addressing structural barriers
Senegal is currently the largest contributor of police to UN peace operations.
In a statement last year celebrating the integration of women in the FPU, the Senegal National Police proposed providing gender-sensitive accommodation as a prerequisite for inclusive peacekeeping.
The force’s inspector general, Seydou Bocar Yague, welcomed the project as an important milestone in sustaining their women’s deployment to MINUSMA.
Through a separate EIF-funded project, Senegal aims to address structural barriers to women’s meaningful participation in the national police force by deploying gender-strong units. in the United Nations peacekeeping force, establish a list of trained women to implement, apply gender policy and promote the recruitment of women.
Vision come true
Togo’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Brigadier General Damehame Yark, emphasized the importance of the project.
“The operational efficiency and professionalism of female officers in the security force are well known. Therefore, I am very grateful for this project – it will allow us to make our vision to increase the participation of women in our FPUs a reality,” he said.
Togo ranks 6th in the list of countries that provide police officers to serve the UN. The country also received an EIF grant to conduct a study to assess the barriers, opportunities and challenges faced by female police officers in order to increase their meaningful participation in police operations. activities of the United Nations.
Nigeria is the 15th largest police contributor to UN peace operations.
“Nigeria has consistently contributed mixed-gender units to MINUSMA. We appreciate the support from the Elsie Initiative Fund which will make a significant impact in improving the living and working conditions of peacekeepers,” said Alkali Baba Usman, Inspector General of Scenes close said.
Commitment to progress
MINUSMA is the first UN peace campaign to have two women lead the police component – as Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Over the past decade, it has prioritized promoting the meaningful participation of women, alongside incorporating gender perspectives into operations.
MINUSMA is the second United Nations Mission, after its force in Lebanon, UNIFILto receive an EIF grant to create a more inclusive, efficient and sustainable environment.
