Trail-blazing team of Pakistani women on peacekeeping mission in Congo awarded UN medal

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s female peacekeepers, deployed with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), have been awarded a UN medal at a ceremony in Adikivu in South Kivu, one of the provinces of the central African country.

The team of 15 female officers, who serve at the ranks of Major and Captain, have been stationed in the war-torn country since June last year.

The officers are psychologists, stress counsellors, vocational training officers, gender advisors, doctors, nurses, operations officers, information officers and logistics officers, said a message received at UN Headquarters in New York.

A MONUSCO peacekeeping mission press release said that another 17 female officers from Pakistan are expected to join the contingent this month.

UN Peacekeepers rely heavily on engaging with the local community — which feels more comfortable liaising and sharing information with military troops that include women alongside men, the mission said.

“Throughout their deployment, the Pakistani female officers worked hard to win the trust of the community,” it said.

According to the mission, the officers have implemented many successful projects including vocational training, medical outreach, regular sessions of support for students, local women and teachers exposed to trauma; and psychological workshops for Congolese police personnel.

“This team’s extraordinary endeavours to serve the UN is worthy of praise," added the press release. The Governor of South Kivu Province, Theo Ngwabidje, presented the Pakistani officers with the award at the ceremony.