Workshop spotlights female police officers' role in UN peacekeeping operations

The event was organised by the People’s Security Academy and the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) with support from the Canadian Government. It was part of a regional project named “Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace: Preventing Violence and Promoting Social Cohesion in ASEAN” funded by the Canadian and Republic of Korean governments.

Vietnamese and foreign participants discussed measures for promoting female police officers' engagement along with gender equality in UN peacekeeping operations.

They looked into barriers and challenges to female officers' participation in UN peacekeeping operations but also pointed out improvements generated by the officers' presence such as enhancing community solidarity, boosting gender-sensitive access to justice, and a gender-sensitive approach to conflict settlement, thereby building up trust and promoting peace in conflict-hit countries and territories.

Caroline Nyamayemobe, acting representative of UN Women in Vietnam, said the workshop was a precious chance to honour women’s indispensable role in peacekeeping operations and share experience of Canada and other countries that have succeeded in promoting female officers' engagement in peacekeeping efforts.

With knowledge and good practices shared, gender equality and women’s meaningful participation in peace and security are being bolstered, she added.

Jacqueline O’Neill, Canadian Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, who is on a visit to Vietnam, said the Southeast Asian country is building its first national action plan for women, peace and security, which reflects its commitment to further increase the participation of women from security and defence forces in peacekeeping operations.

Concluding the workshop, Col. Trinh Ngoc Quyen, Director of the People’s Security Academy, called for assistance to help the academy expand cooperation with suitable training establishments or law enforcement bodies of Canada in the fields of common concerns, including training police officers for UN peacekeeping operations.