These women, drawn from military and police personnel, serve in 12 peacekeeping missions globally, with the majority located in Africa (6) and the Middle East (3).
Women officially joined UN peacekeeping missions for the first time in 1957. However, a historic milestone was achieved in 2007 when India deployed the first all-female, highly trained, and well-equipped Formed Police Unit to the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia.
Women are deployed across various roles, including police, military, and civilian positions. They have significantly contributed to peacekeeping efforts, particularly by supporting women’s roles in peacebuilding and protecting women’s rights.
May 12, 2014, marked a significant milestone in United Nations peacekeeping history with the appointment of Major General Kristin Lund from Norway as the first woman to serve as a Force Commander in a UN peacekeeping operation, leading the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.
Women peacekeepers are seen as particularly suited to humanitarian roles, especially in fostering communication with women and children in civilian populations. This perception contributed to a gradual increase in their representation within UN peacekeeping forces.
Between 1957 and 1989, only 20 uniformed women served in peacekeeping missions.
By September 2023, that number had grown to 6,200. However, women’s representation remains particularly low among military contingents. Of over 70,000 uniformed peacekeepers, including more than 62,000 troops, less than 10% are women.
The table below shows the 10 African countries that have the highest number of female police officers represented in the UN peacekeeping missions as of August 2024
| Rank | Country | Female police officers |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Rwanda |
678 |
|
2 |
Ghana |
428 |
|
3 |
Senegal |
210 |
|
4 |
Ethiopia |
206 |
|
5 |
Zambia |
225 |
|
6 |
South Africa |
221 |
|
7 |
Cameroon |
121 |
|
8 |
Tanzania |
189 |
|
9 |
Malawi |
106 |
|
10 |
Egypt |
96 |
During the period, the total number of male police officers deployed for peacekeeping globally stood at 55,623, female was 6,126 summing it to 61,749.
Among the 120+ countries contributing troops and police, African nations like Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Zambia stand out as leading contributors of uniformed women peacekeepers.
The UN is actively striving to increase women’s participation in peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
By 2028, the target is for women to make up 15% of military contingents, 25% of military observers and staff officers, and 20% of police units.
