AMISOM female peacekeepers call for gender parity in peacekeeping missions

By Our Reporter

Female peacekeepers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) following the celebrations of the International Women’s Day, have pleaded for gender parity in peacekeeping missions.

The women, drawn Uganda and the other Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) to Somalia as well as Somali National Security Forces, gathered in Mogadishu to take stock of women’s contributions to global peace and review the challenges facing them in the social, economic and political fronts.

Donning white, purple and blue T-Shirts emblazoned with the words ‘better the balance, better the peacekeeping’, the female peacekeepers kicked off the celebrations with a march to highlight the important role women play in the development of the continent.

The women later congregated at a conference addressed by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Deputy Commissioner of Police from Nigeria, Rotimi Adelesi, and Assistant Commissioner of Police from Ghana, Lydia Yaako Donkor, among others.

“We honor the sacrifice you continue to make, thousands of kilometers away from your loved ones, for the sake of peace not only in Somalia but Africa in general. Your actions exemplify the true spirit of pan-Africanism, which our forefathers advocated for during the struggle for independence,” Ambassador Madeira observed.

The SRCC noted that female peacekeepers have immensely contributed to the success of the AU Mission, by helping tackle sexual and gender-based violence, advocating for the rights of vulnerable groups and capacitating their Somali counterparts.

Ambassador Madeira said AMISOM will continue encouraging AU member states to deploy more women peacekeepers when need arises.

In her speech, Ms. Adelesi lauded the peacekeepers for their sacrifice and commitment and called for the increase in female representation in the AU Mission.

Her sentiments were echoed by Ms. Donkor, who hailed the female peacekeepers for taking up roles hitherto perceived as preserved for men.

“It is not just about women. The balance should be between men and women because we need the equal participation of both men and women to achieve any target,” Ms. Donkor noted.

Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Glory Urhere, who represented the Acting AMISOM Police Commissioner, spoke of the achievements made by female AMISOM Police peacekeepers and reiterated the mission’s commitment to gender parity, noting that currently, women make 18.5 percent of the police component.

“In line with the UN resolution 1325 (2000) and AMISOM mandate, AMISOM Police have continuously demonstrated its commitment to promoting the participation of women in peacekeeping operations,” Ms. Urhere stated.

She noted that the police component has continued to mentor Somali Police Force officers in key areas including gender equality and mainstreaming.

Speaking on behalf of AMISOM Force Commander, Col. Francis Kangwanda, urged Troop Contributing Countries to help increase the number of women in senior decision-making positions within AMISOM military, saying female peacekeepers were equal partners in the task of securing Somalia.

“It is important to recognize women as equal partners in the maintenance of peace and stability not only in AMISOM but throughout the world and for this reason, I propose an increased number  of women, by the TCCs (Troop Contributing Countries), in decision-making positions in the AMISOM military,”  Col. Kangwanda.

Peacekeepers who took part in the celebrations expressed their joy and appealed to their fellow women in the continent to continue championing gender equality.

“I am happy that the role of female peacekeepers in Somalia is being recognized,” Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Monica Johnson from Sierra Leone stated.

Corporal Kyasiimire Emily, of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), urged women in Africa to join the disciplined forces to help improve gender parity in the security sector