4 minute read
Walking in Their Shoes – Women Peacekeepers in The Field
“It is twenty-three hundred hours local time, we are going out for a night patrol, and I am your patrol commander tonight. We will move around the perimeter fence and proceed to Rumajak village…” These were some of the words of Major Babli Pannu as she briefed her team before they went out for a night patrol in Rumajak Village of the Central Sector of Abyei Region.
Major Pannu is the Female Engagement Team Commander from the Indian Army, one of the eight Troop Contributing Countries of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei. She leads different teams for night and day patrols throughout their area of operation.
I joined one of their night patrols which lasted for about two hours. A team of men and women in uniform moved around the Indian Battalion Headquarters perimeter fence and went through the village to ensure the people in that area are safe and can sleep peacefully.
It was dark and cold with wet and muddy ground, plenty of barking dogs and mosquitos. As we moved around the village, I was scared. They told me to keep calm and follow their instructions as they moved in two files, using their small lights to check the way. At the end of the patrol, there was no incident reported.
On the next day, I went on a day patrol with Major Pannu and her team. We went to a village far from their headquarters and this time we moved in Armored Personnel Carriers - APC as they call it. But to reach the village, we left the vehicles very far and moved through the bushes to reach the community. Major Pannu and her team’s interactions with local communities is a testament to how important it is to have females in peacekeeping missions. Women and children talked to them freely. they give them all information about what is happening in the community, including gender-based violence incidents as well as security related information that informs the mission’s next course of action.
“It gives me immense pleasure and pride to be a part of this peacekeeping mission, as it helps me to contribute towards global peace and security,” said Captain Seema Priyanka, one of the female engagement team members from Indian Battalion.
Captain Priyanka shared with me one of her experience and best moments of her work that keep her motivated to go to some of the hardest to reach places of Abyei.
“In one of our patrols, a schoolgirl walked to us and asked me a question ‘what can we do to be like you? We want to contribute to peace and security of our area.’ By our presence, we are inspiring and motivating young girls and boys that they, too, can contribute to peace in their countries.”
The presence of female engagement teams in the mission breaks down traditional gender barriers and has demonstrated to the community that women are not only capable but essential contributors to the peacekeeping process.
I also joined Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) in the Southern part of Abyei. Captain Priscilla and her joint patrol team went in the community to engage them on the security situation which was tense due to the attacks that had taken place in the area. They were all alert due to rumors of more attacks in the community.
“We sleep in shifts.” Said Captain Priscilla, Community Engagement Platoon Commander, a female dominated team for GHANBATT. “There are rumors of attacks in the community. Everyone is scared. Our mandate is to protect civilians and that is what we do every day and night.”
On the way for the day patrol, things took another turn when we reached a community where a family had lost a member in the previous attack. People were angry and grieving. Cpt Priscilla and her team gave their condolences and assured them that as long as UNISFA is there, they will do their best to protect civilians.
Cpt Priscilla told me how having a female engagement team has improved the interactions with the communities and information gathering.
“In a war-torn environment, women and children are more vulnerable. Having a female dominated engagement team, allows us to gather critical information mainly related to Sexual Gender Based Violence.” Said Cpt. Priscilla. “It’s hard for women to open up to men as opposed to female.”
The involvement of women in mixed patrols and community engagement activities is part of UNISFA’s strategies to implement the Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security.
The resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
