Ever since the United Nations added women to the ranks of its peacekeepers during the 1990s, the number of women serving in UN peacekeeping missions around the world – and their roles in those missions – has continued to grow.

In recognition of this trend, the military component of MINUSTAH took the unprecedented step of inviting its women peacekeepers to participate in a town hall meeting on April 30 at the MINUSTAH Logistics Base.

The meeting afforded a unique opportunity for 93 women from the military component to meet with senior mission leadership, discuss a wide range of issues, and plan the way ahead for women who will participate in the mission now and in the future.

“Today, you have been called especially to confirm that your presence and work within peacekeeping missions are held in great esteem,” said Lt. Gen. José Luiz Jaborandy Jr., Force Commander of MINUSTAH’s military component.

“I also want to reiterate that your work is needed to successfully accomplish the multiple actions taken by the United Nations to find peace around the world through our mandate.”

Jaborandy joined Baudouine Kamatari, MINUSTAH senior gender advisor, and Claudia Hurtarte, personal assistant to the Force Commander, in facilitating a session where the women could share their MINUSTAH experiences and address issues of importance.

Later that afternoon, Sandra Honoré, Special Representative to the Secretary-General, joined the assembled peacekeepers for further discussions.

“It was an honor to meet the SRSG and Force Commander,” said Argentine Army Lt. Col. Patricia Bengolea, one of the attendees. “They have demonstrated an open mind, common sense and practicality with regard to the concerns we have as women soldiers.”

The meeting as a kickoff

The meeting also served as a kickoff to the upcoming 15-year anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. The landmark resolution, which was passed on Oct. 31, 2000, reaffirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building,

peacekeeping and humanitarian response; urged UN member nations to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all UN peace and security efforts;

and called on all parties to conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict.

“In the years since the resolution, we have seen an increasing number of women in decision-making roles throughout the United Nations, including the SRSG, as well as the integration of women into all facets of the military component,” said Kamatari. “But we are not done yet.”

During the town hall meeting, the peacekeepers discussed a number of topics with mission leadership and made suggestions to improve mission effectiveness, including the addition of French and Creole language classes to providing more support for expanded medical and civil-military projects throughout Haiti.

Women's working group

In addition, representatives from each of MINUSTAH’s national contingents were selected to form a Women’s Working Group responsible for planning a mission-wide project to mark the 15th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 in October 2015. The Working Group will hold its first meetings in May.

“I would like to exhort you to take the lead and participate on this project, which will dignify your work and your noble decision to take this career,” said Jaborandy.

“Your status as mothers, sisters, daughters and wives gives you an added sensibility which is a special quality needed by the United Nations as a complementary added value to help fulfill our mission.”

The members of the Working group seemed to be highly motivated regarding this new project.

“It will be a hard and time-consuming job – beginnings are always hard – but it will be a great challenge,” said Bengolea, who will represent the Argentine Battalion (ARGBAT) on the Working Group. “This event has been very important and an icon for women within MINUSTAH.”

Lt. Cmdr. Ed Early - UN/MINUSTAH Military Public Information Office