Delhi Hosting Workshop For Female UN Peacekeepers

A 12-day workshop will soon be organised in New Delhi for a batch of UN women peacekeepers, PTI reported. Also known as ‘Blue Berets’, these peacekeepers are responsible for monitoring peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in executing the peace agreements they may have signed.

The workshop, which started on April 3, is being jointly organised by the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in India and UN Women. It is taking place at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi

Traditionally, India has been one of the leading contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. It is reported that a total of 41 participants from 27 countries will take part in the course which will make them deployment-ready. This will be the third batch of female troops to be trained by the CUNPK.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs statement, “The training team consists of some of the most experienced and seasoned speakers from across the globe. Participation from all the continents, including instructors, facilitators and evaluators has ensured balanced regional representation.”

During such trainings, participants are presented with hypothetical situations which are based on real-life cases. The trainings use videos, photos, stories and real examples to help peacekeepers respond to situations of sexual violence during their missions. They are given detailed information about potential threats, national and international assistance agencies involved, the geography of the area, etc., and asked how each of them should respond to such a situation.

Women have contributed constructively in peacekeeping environments, in supporting the role of building peace and protecting women's rights. Women peacekeepers have proven that they can perform the same roles under difficult conditions as their male counterparts.

According to data, around 100,000 peacekeepers, contributed by 126 member states, are presently deployed in 16 missions across the globe.

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