UN Women supports peacekeeping training of 24 Asia-Pacific women officers
Date:
Author: Ahjung Lee
Seoul, Republic of Korea — Twenty-four women military and police officers from 15 Asia-Pacific countries have boosted their readiness for possible deployment on United Nations peacekeeping missions thanks to an intensive two-week training co-organized by UN Women.
The Uniformed Women’s Peacekeepers Training Programme was aimed at increasing women’s participation in peacekeeping missions, not only for gender equality as a moral imperative but also for increased operational effectiveness of missions. The training was held in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province from 16 to 17 June.
The training integrated theoretical knowledge, practical exercises, and policy dialogues to teach peacekeeping leadership.
Said Major Rina So, Republic of Korea Army: "Through this training programme, I came to realize that women personnel are making significant contributions in conflict-affected areas — more than I initially expected. I learned how we, as women, can use our unique perspectives and qualities to approach local women who are in danger during conflict situations, and also how to engage with the broader local community effectively in those contexts.
“If I am given the opportunity to serve as part of a UN mission in the future, I believe I will be able to carry out my duties well, based on the knowledge and skills I have gained through this training."
UN Women Knowledge and Partnerships Centre in the Republic of Korea organized the training in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense, Korea National Defense University, and Republic of Korea Peacekeeping Operations Center,
The instructors included Australian Navy Commander Tyson Nicholas, strategic Military Advisor at UN Women; retired Australian Navy Commander Jen Wittwer, expert on women, peace and security; and retired Australian Army Major Lyndsay Freeman.
Since 2023 the UN Women Centre has supported women peacekeepers training-with participants from 10-15 countries in the region. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family have partnered with the Centre in delivering these trainings as part of the country’s pledges at the 2021 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Seoul, as well as its broader efforts to support the women, peace and security agenda as a non-permanent member of Security Council this year.
Expanding the role of women military peacekeepers remains a strategic priority for the United Nations and its Member States. This year is the 25th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 calling for increasing women’s participation in preventing conflicts and maintaining peace.
The programme in Nonsan combined the United Nations Staff Officers Course and the two-day Korea Peacekeeping Workshop for Women's Empowerment.
The workshop, held with support from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, convened peacekeeping personnel, United Nations officials, government representatives, and field experts to discuss strategies for enhancing women’s leadership in peacekeeping operations and integrating gender perspectives into mission mandates.
The women officers said they benefited a lot from the training.
"The most valuable lesson I learned was the importance of cohesion among military, police and civilians in UN peacekeeping operations — and how essential it is to listen, adapt and lead with empathy," said Major Aakrati Sirur, Indian Army.
Captain Rekha Adhikari, Nepal Army, said, "This training helped me understand not just the challenges women face in peacekeeping missions, but also the leadership roles we can take to empower others and contribute meaningfully on a global scale.