On January 22, UN Dispatch reported that 105 Indian police officers where being deployed to Liberia as the UN's first all-female peacekeeping force. Today, Dispatch sat down with a unit commander, Seema Dhundia, to check in on their progress.
Now that your unit has been in the field for a few months, how would you say the presence of a female UN peacekeeping contingent is enabling Liberia to get on the path to rebuilding?
I think that for the first time the Liberian people are seeing a fully trained contingent of female officers out on streets. Their own women are getting inspired and motivated and now they are coming forward. Seeing my girls performing their duties is inspiring young Liberian women to join the regular forces -- in this way we are sort of role models for the young Liberian ladies. They are seeing our girls and are now coming forward and joining the regular forces. Their numbers have considerably increased after our arrival here
The people are watching us here in Liberia. They are seeing the all-female contingent -- which has come all the way from India for the peacekeeping mission -- and they are getting inspired. They might start their own female force.
Have you faced any specific challenges being an all-women's unit?
There is no specific challenge as such. The situation is still volatile - the undercurrents of the conflict are still there, though the politics seem to be calm and quiet. Sometimes, though, it does get out of hand. But since the troops are prepared and they are professionally competent, we are able to cope with the pressures of any kind of situation.
Read the full interview at UN Dispatch.
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What a professional. This commander did not take any of the reporters baits. I'm referring to the questions where the reporter was fishing for ways that highlight differences between how this unit operates and responds compared to mixed and all male units. In effect she says, "we are just another unit doing the job."
i love that their presence has inspired local women to get involved with the local police. never underestimate the importance of a positive role model!