New Delhi: Emphasising that women in uniform serve as role models for girls and women, an Indian woman commander stationed in Congo Captain Preeti Sharma said efforts must be made to significantly increase their number in the UN peacekeeping missions.
Stating that Women represent only four per cent of the total UN military peacekeepers, Captain Sharma, Commander of the Indian Female Engagement Team (FET) with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), said there are very less female peacekeepers in the UN.
If you have to address 50 per cent of the world’s population, then it is very important that the number of women uniformed peacekeepers is increased to enable UN peacekeeping missions to effectively address challenges faced by women and girls.
A bird cannot fly with a single wing. If women are not empowered and uplifted, it is not possible for any society to progress, Sharma said.
The FET from India comprises 22 women peacekeepers and it began its deployment with MONUSCO, considered one of the most challenging peacekeeping missions under the UN flag, in June last year.
Sharma said this is the first time that a woman engagement team from India was sent to a UN mission.
The FET “is not a police unit but an attachment with the Army. We are doing the same job which the Army performs in remote areas,” she said.
India is the fifth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to the UN Peacekeeping. It currently contributes more than 5,400 military and police personnel to peacekeeping operations in Abyei, Cyprus, the DRC, Lebanon, the West Asia, Sudan, South Sudan and Western Sahara as well as one expert to the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia.
Sharma, who is due to finish her tenure with MONUSCO next month, said that a nation cannot progress and develop if half of its population is left behind and not empowered.
India’s deployment of the FET is in line with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ priority and initiative to ensure increased participation of women peacekeepers in the UN.
Sharma and her contingent are from the Sashastra Seema Bal, one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces. Their duties and responsibilities with MONUSCO entail area domination patrols, quick reaction force, escort missions and long-range patrolling.
Sharma said the FET works alongside the male contingent and performs every task that the male peacekeepers do.
Sharma said that her team has undertaken several initiatives such as self-defence programmes, language training, skill development, computer programmes to help the local communities, especially the woman population.
The women and girls were not able to fulfil their aspirations and dreams due to security issues. We started a self-defence programme for local females in schools and villages and it was very enthusiastically received, she said.
“When I lead, girls and women get inspired. Seeing women in uniform motivates them. They come up and ask how they too can join the police and military and serve their nation,” Sharma said, adding that seeing women in leadership roles inspires young girls to dream big and fulfil their aspirations.
If women and girls are able to uplift themselves with the help of our motivation, it will be a great contribution by us to this society, she said emphasising that women bring a unique value and perspective to the peacekeeping operations.
As Sharma readies to head back to India after the completion of her tenure, she said that she has gained tremendously from the experience.
Sharma said that being a uniformed officer has given her the opportunity to serve not just her nation but humanity.
“There are challenges everywhere, these are the challenges that take you to the next attribute which is courage, whether it is moral courage or physical courage,” she added.
