Women Peacekeepers From 35 Nations Attend 2-Day Conference In Delhi

New Delhi: The Indian Army, through the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), is hosting a two-day conference titled ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The conference, which began on Monday, has been organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

“The conference has brought together women peacekeepers from 35 nations to explore the evolving role of women in peacekeeping operations and discuss strategies to enhance their participation in these crucial missions. The conference aims to strengthen the role of women in UN peacekeeping by fostering dialogue, sharing experiences, and improving collaboration among the nations of the Global South,” an MoD official said.

On Monday, the participants called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. This was followed by a keynote address by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

“The Women Peacekeepers have broken the stereotype, shattered barriers, and rose above challenges to become leaders and protectors of their nation and also in the communities, where they have been engaged in for peacekeeping. As a key partner in Global South, India brings forth a wealth of experience, resources and expertise to the table, contributing to the collective effort of developing nations. We, as representatives of the Global South, stand together in strength, resilience and unwavering commitment to global peace,” Lt Gen N S Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff, said in his opening remarks.

In his address, Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&C), highlighted that international humanitarian law is facing a lot of challenges, making the task of peacekeeping ever more challenging. He also acknowledged that women peacekeepers are role models of women empowerment and encourage women of the host nation to contribute towards upliftment of their society.

During Session I of the Conference focussed on mechanisms to prevent, report, and address cases of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping environments. Participants explored best practices, accountability measures, and the role of leadership in promoting a culture of zero tolerance for misconduct.

Session II was on how technology continues to transform peacekeeping. It examined how tools such as surveillance drones, AI-powered data analysis, and real-time communication systems can improve operational effectiveness and enhance mission capabilities. Experts discussed the challenges of integrating technology into peacekeeping and how nations in the Global South can leverage these advancements to strengthen their security efforts.