LIMA, April 1 (NNN-ANDINA) — Peru will provide more military personnel for UN peacekeeping operations around the world, Defense Minister Jose Huerta said in his speech at the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial Conference held at UN Headquarters.
“I’m pleased to announce a pledge of an infantry company consisting of 200 military officers,” said the minister while noting the commitment of Peru to supporting the UN’s efforts to achieve the goals contained in the Declaration of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping Operations.
Besides, he announced the willingness of three Armed Forces officers for deployment under a new UN mission in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, where a ceasefire has taken effect following an internal conflict.
In the presence of defense ministers of the United Nations member states, Huerta announced Peru aims to increase female participation in military contingents from 10% and 15%, as a target for 2020.
According to the minister, the Inca country has increased the number of women deployed in peacekeeping operations over recent years. As for the number of Peruvians deployed in peacekeeping operations, women make up 30% of staff officials, 33% of military observers, and 10% of military contingents.
Proof of this was the last contingent sent to the Central African Republic, consisting of 20 women out of 205 members.
While women have always had a role in peacekeeping, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has committed to ensuring that women play a far more active role in peace operations.
As stated in his Gender Parity Strategy, “Peacekeeping is the most visible face of the United Nations… The fact that only 3% of UN peacekeepers and 10% of police are women hampers our protection reach and operational effectiveness and sends the wrong message about who the UN serves and represents.”
Women peacekeepers service in all peacekeeping capacities, civilian, military and police. It is operationally imperative to recruit and retain women peacekeepers. In addition, women peacekeepers act as role models in the local environment, inspiring women and girls in often male-dominated societies to push for their own rights and for participation in peace processes. — NNN-ANDINA