NEW DELHI, Feb 24: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday emphasized the importance of inducting more women into United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions, highlighting their crucial role in addressing gender-based violence, building trust, and promoting dialogue. She made the statement while addressing a group of women peacekeepers who had called on her at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
In her remarks, President Murmu noted that the inclusion of women in peacekeeping missions makes the operations more diverse and inclusive. She stressed that women peacekeepers often have greater access to local communities and can serve as role models for women and children. Their presence in missions has proven effective in reducing violence and fostering long-lasting peace agreements.
“It is, therefore, essential that we induct more women in UN peacekeeping missions,” the president said, underscoring that missions with a higher percentage of women personnel have shown greater success in achieving peace and stability.
Murmu also reflected on India’s longstanding contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts, with over 2.90 lakh Indian peacekeepers having served in more than 50 missions. “Today, there are over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers in nine active missions, deployed in often-hostile conditions, for the cause of international peace and security,” she said.
The president expressed pride in the role of Indian women peacekeepers, noting that there are over 154 Indian women currently deployed in six ongoing UN missions. She highlighted the professionalism and dedication of Indian women peacekeepers, dating back to the 1960s in Congo and extending to their work in Liberia in 2007.
The women peacekeepers visiting New Delhi are attending a conference titled “Women in Peacekeeping: A Global South Perspective,” organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, and the Centre for UN Peacekeeping. The conference aims to bring together women officials from the Global South to discuss contemporary issues and challenges facing peacekeeping missions.
