India Hosts Global South Conference on Women Peacekeepers in New Delhi

New Delhi: The Indian Army, through the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), India, is hosting a two-day ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on February 24-25, 2025. Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the event brings together women peacekeepers from 35 nations, reinforcing India’s commitment to enhancing their role in UN peacekeeping missions.

The conference serves as a platform to foster dialogue, share experiences, and improve collaboration among nations from the Global South, strengthening the role of women in peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and humanitarian operations.

Inaugural Session and Key Addresses

The conference began with an interaction with Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a keynote address by External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar.

Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, in his opening remarks, lauded the contributions of women peacekeepers, recognizing their leadership and commitment to global peace. He noted that women peacekeepers have shattered barriers, broken stereotypes, and emerged as key figures in peacekeeping missions worldwide. He reaffirmed India’s role in advancing peacekeeping efforts, stating, “As a key partner in the Global South, India brings forth a wealth of experience, resources, and expertise, contributing to the collective effort of developing nations.”

Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&C), underscored the challenges facing International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and emphasized the crucial role of women peacekeepers in promoting peace and stability. He highlighted their impact as role models, encouraging local women in conflict zones to participate in nation-building and community upliftment.

Sessions on Women in Peacekeeping

The first day of the conference featured two key sessions:

• Session 1: Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – Moderated by Christian Saunders, UN Special Coordinator, this session featured insights from Maj Radhika Sen (UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023), Maj Hind Jirari (Morocco), and Col Simone PC Antunes (Brazil). The discussion focused on preventing, reporting, and addressing misconduct in peacekeeping environments, emphasizing zero tolerance policies and accountability measures.

• Session 2: Technology in Peacekeeping – Can We Do Better? – Led by Ms. Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog and former NASSCOM President, the panel included Lt Gen Sadhna Nair, DGMS (Army), and Brig Munesh Tamang, Former Sector Commander, UNMISS. The discussion centered on AI-driven data analysis, surveillance drones, and real-time communication tools, exploring how emerging technologies can enhance peacekeeping operations and security efforts in the Global South.

Upcoming Discussions and Valedictory Address

The conference will continue with further sessions, featuring distinguished speakers:

• Session 3: Role of Women Peacekeepers – Featuring Dr. Kiran Bedi (IPS Retd, Former Lt Governor, Puducherry), Lt Col Neha Khajuria (India), Lt Col Ayishetu Sandow (Ghana), and Lt Col Sulochana Poudel (Nepal).

• Session 4: Opportunities for Collaboration in Training and Capacity Building – With panelists including Lt Gen MP Singh (Director General Staff Duties, India), Col Samar Raghav (CUNPK, India), Col Phoung Thi Minh Nyugen (Vietnam), and Col Dilya Akhmetova (Kazakhstan).

• Session 5: Promoting Regional Cooperation in Peacekeeping – The Global South Context – A key panel featuring Jean-Pierre Lacroix (Under-Secretary-General, UN Department of Peace Operations), Tshering W. Sherpa (Joint Secretary, UNP, MEA, India), Brig Joyce C Sitienei (Kenya), and Alesi Dau (Fiji).

India’s Leadership in Women-Led Peacekeeping

Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, will deliver the valedictory address on the final day of the conference, highlighting India’s commitment to gender-inclusive peacekeeping and its growing role as a leader in international security initiatives.

By bringing together global experts, peacekeeping personnel, and policymakers, the Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South reinforces India’s leadership in promoting gender equality, inclusivity, and effective peacekeeping strategies. The discussions and resolutions from this event will contribute to shaping future UN peacekeeping policies, ensuring greater participation and leadership of women in global peace efforts.