The goal of the funding is to “create a more inclusive environment to foster and sustain the active participation of women in uniform” in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).The announcement of the Elsie Initiative Fund for Women in Uniform in Peace Operations, made yesterday Tuesday, “comes as three police contributing countries – Nigeria, Senegal and Togo – have promised to increase and maintain the deployment of women in Formed Police Units (FPU),” says a statement received by APA.
Indeed, the document says, Senegal will increase the deployment of women from 18 percent currently to 26 percent in 2025. Togo intends to double the percentage of women deployed from 11 percent currently to 25 percent in 2025. And Nigeria aims to maintain its female deployment at about 24 percent.
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) is the second UN mission to receive this financial support. It will use the $1.49 million to build seven housing units, 19 sanitary facilities, four laundry units and a recreation area.
Mixed PCUs, according to MINUSMA, improve engagement with the communities they serve and enhance the mission’s ability to perform its mandated tasks, including law enforcement and high-visibility patrols.
“To realize the benefits of more diverse teams in peace operations, we need to create an enabling environment that contributes to the active participation of women,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.
“This support from the Fund promotes gender-sensitive peace operations, allowing us to more effectively assist in the consolidation and preservation of peace and security in the world,” he added.
Seydou Bocar Yague, Inspector General of the Senegalese Police, stressed that this project is an important step in sustainably increasing the deployment of women within MINUSMA. Brigadier General Damehame Yark, Togo’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection said that “the operational efficiency and professionalism of female security forces personnel are no longer in question. Finally, Alkali Baba Usman, Inspector General of Police of Nigeria thanked the Elsie Initiative Fund whose support will positively impact the improvement of the living and working conditions of the peacekeeping personnel.
