Supporting Women's Participation In UN Peace Missions, Indonesia Recommends Three Things

United Nations female soldier illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/MONUSCO)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, said Indonesia was committed to increasing the number of female troops in the UN peacekeeping mission entrusted to Indonesia.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno in a virtual webinar entitled 'Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Champions: Practical Recommendations for Breaking Barriers for Women in Peacekeeping', which was held on July 8, 2021.

"A total of 183 female peacekeepers in various UN Peace Missions, shows Indonesia's commitment to continue to increase the number and support the creation of a conducive environment for female troops in UN Missions", Foreign Minister Retno explained in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, July 9.

The A4P WPS Champions meeting is part of a series of expert-level webinars organized by Indonesia together with Ireland, Germany, Bangladesh, South Africa, Kenya, and Namibia.

Foreign Minister Retno said overcoming obstacles for female peacekeepers was important to ensure the full participation of women in the Peace Mission.

United Nations female soldier illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/MONUSCO)

"The recommendations submitted today are expected to be input for the United Nations, in formulating policies that will be a catalyst for increasing the role of women in the United Nations Mission", she explained.

On this occasion, the host country also submitted a recommendation document on efforts to overcome barriers to women's participation in the UN Mission, to the representative of the UN Secretary-General for the UN Peacekeeping Mission.

In line with Indonesia's commitment to advancing the role of women in the UN Peace Mission, Minister Retno conveyed three recommendations that need to be carried out.

First, the importance of designing gender-sensitive infrastructure in Peace Missions. Ensuring a safe environment for female peacekeepers is a top priority for Indonesia as one of the largest troop contributor countries to the UN Mission.

"The second thing that is no less important is to identify obstacles at the national level", continued Minister Retno. Efforts to identify these barriers must be adapted to the culture and local situation of each country to obtain maximum results.

Finally, Foreign Minister Retno also emphasized Indonesia's support for networks for women peacekeepers.

"This network will provide additional support to support the increase in the number of women troops on the UN Mission", she said.

"The full, effective and meaningful participation of women in the UN Mission is a shared responsibility. Indonesia will always be committed to being a part of this", concluded Minister Retno.