India deploys single largest unit of all-women peacekeepers platoon for UN Mission in Sudan

New Delhi, Jan 6: In a huge development, India is set to deploy a platoon of Women Peacekeepers in Sudan's Abyei region today as part of the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA).

 

"This will be India’s largest single unit of women Peacekeepers in a UN Mission since we deployed the first-ever all women’s contingent in Liberia in 2007," according to a press release.

In a tweet, Ruchira Kambhoj, Permanent Representative/Ambassador of India to the United Nations, said, "India is deploying an all #women’s platoon of peacekeepers 🪖 as part of our battalion to the UN Mission in #Abyei @UNISFA_1. This is the single largest deployment of women #peacekeepers in recent years. Good wishes to the team!"

 

 

In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN peacekeeping mission. The Formed Police Unit in Liberia provided 24-hour guard duty, conducted night patrols in the capital Monrovia, and helped to build the capacity of the Liberian police.

 

The Indian contingent, comprising two officers and 25 Other Ranks, will form part of an Engagement platoon and specialize in Community outreach, though they will be performing extensive security-related tasks as well.Their presence will be especially welcome in Abyei, where a recent spurt in violence has triggered a spate of challenging humanitarian concerns for women and children in the conflict zone.

 

The deployment in Abyei will also herald India's intent of increasing significantly the number of Indian women in Peacekeeping contingents, added the release.

 

Women Peacekeepers are highly regarded in Peacekeeping Missions throughout the world for their ability to reach out and connect with women and children in local populations, especially victims of sexual violence in conflict zones. Indian women particularly have a rich tradition in Peacekeeping.

Dr Kiran Bedi, UN’s first Police Adviser, Major Suman Gawani and Ms Shakti Devi have made a mark for themselves in UN Peacekeeping. Our teams in the Congo and South Sudan have also done sterling work in mainstreaming women and children into Community and Social developmental projects at the grassroots level.

 

The Security Council, by its resolution 1990 of 27 June 2011, responded to the urgent situation in Sudan's Abyei region by establishing the UNISFA. The Security Council was deeply concerned by the violence, escalating tensions and population displacement.

More than 200,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.

India has a long tradition of sending women on UN peacekeeping missions. In 1960, women serving in the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services were interviewed by UN Radio before being deployed to the Republic of the Congo.