Breaking barriers on the frontlines
Her first deployment to Mali in 2018 tested her resilience, confronting her with scorching heat, scarce water, and limited contact with family. Operating in a male-dominated environment also brought its own set of challenges.
“At first, I was afraid and intimidated by the men,” she admits. “I worried they might discriminate against me or question my abilities. But after we worked together, they respected me and treated me as an equal.”
Leading missions in Mali and later Lebanon presented further hurdles. “One of the challenges was that the troops had never had a female commander before. We needed time to understand and trust each other. But eventually, things ran smoothly.”
She also felt the immense pressure of representation. “If I failed as a woman leader, people might say, ‘See? A woman couldn’t do it.’ That could have closed the door for others.”
It was in 2024, during Cambodia’s 14th rotation to Lebanon, that she became the country’s first female unit commander there. “I was in charge of leading the entire unit of 180 personnel—ensuring standards of accommodation, food, and the safety of our troops,” she says. Her team included women in crucial roles such as logistics, administration, mine clearance, and guard posts.
Despite initial doubts, Leangy earned respect through exemplary performance. “Everyone fulfilled their roles, and they observed me in action. Over time, there was no discrimination—in fact, they encouraged me. They recognized that women could do it too.”
When women lead
Between 2022 and 2024, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) conducted a barrier assessment to identify opportunities to increase the deployment of women in the RCAF and in United Nations (UN) peace operations. The assessment was carried out in partnership with UN Women, with support from the Elsie Initiative Fund.
UN Women continues to provides technical support through a regional project that promotes women’s full and meaningful participation in peace and security in the ASEAN region supported by the Governments of Canada, Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom.
The findings are now directly informing future reforms and programming, designed to strengthen the RCAF’s gender-responsive recruitment, planning, and deployments. The impact is already tangible: the proportion of uniformed women deployed by the RCAF to UN peace operations has significantly increased from 16.5 per cent in 2022 to 20 per cent in 2024. Furthermore, the leadership of the National Peacekeeping Mission (NPMEC) consistently offers training opportunities and actively promotes the participation of women in UN peacekeeping missions. Leaders like Leangy are demonstrating just how vital women’s contributions truly can be, not only in community engagement but across the full spectrum of peacekeeping responsibilities.
"I believe that when women take part in peacekeeping, they bring many benefits," Leangy states. "Women build strong connections with communities, reduce conflict, and play important roles during tense situations." This capacity to build rapport is crucial for effective information gathering and establishing security. As Leangy puts it, "We’re not just there to work—we’re there to restore peace and rebuild trust."
Leangy also champions the critical need for more women in leadership roles. She emphasizes that women bring more than just empathy; they contribute a unique combination of soft skills and firm, decisive leadership essential for complex military operations. “Women deserve leadership roles. We bring empathy and patience—but we can also be firm.”
A new generation of role models
Now back in Cambodia, Lieutenant Colonel Leangy continues to inspire. Her exceptional leadership earned her a Gold Medal from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and a medal from the United Nations.
To young women aspiring to follow in her footsteps, she offers heartfelt advice:
“Please believe in yourself. Have the courage to overcome the challenges. Always remember—women can do the work just like men.”
As UN Women and peacekeeping missions continue to push for greater gender equality, Leangy’s journey stands as a powerful testament: when women lead with courage and conviction, they are a fundamental force for peace.
“When women get involved,” Leangy concludes, “we build peace.”
Learn more about Women, Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific Region: