Indian Army, through the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), India, is hosting a two-day conference titled 'Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South' at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on February 24-25, 2025. This conference, being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, 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.

On the inaugural day, the participants had the honour of calling on Draupadi Murmu, the President of India, at Rashtrapati Bhawan. This was followed by a keynote address by S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister.

In his opening remarks, Lt General N.S. Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), expressed deep appreciation for the women peacekeepers' exceptional service and commitment to global peace and security. He said, "the Women Peacekeepers have broken the stereotypes, 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". He further said that, "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", adding, "We, as representatives of Global South, stand together in strength, resilience and unwavering commitment to global peace".

In his address, Lt General Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&C), highlighted that International Humanitarian Law is facing a lot of challenges, making task of peacekeepers ever more challenging. He also acknowledged that Women Peacekeepers with their presence, are the role models of women empowerment and encourage women of host nation to contribute towards upliftment of their society.

On the inaugural day of the conference, following sessions were conducted:

• Session 1 - Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: This session was moderated by Mr Christian Saunders, UN Special Coordinator, with participation by Maj Radhika Sen, UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023, Maj Hind Jirari (Morocco) and Col Simone PC Antunes (Brazil). The session focused on mechanisms for preventing, reporting, and addressing 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 2 - Technology in Peacekeeping: Can We Do Better?: The second session was moderated by Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, Niti Aayog and Former President NASSCOM. Lt General Sadhna Nair, DGMS (Army) and Brig Munesh Tamang, Former Sector Commander, UNMISS were the distinguished participants in the session. As technology continues to transform peacekeeping, this session 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.

Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, will attend the final day of the conference. The concluding sessions will cover the following topics:

• Session 3 - Role of Women Peacekeepers. The Session will witness participation by Dr Kiran Bedi, IPS (Retd), Former Lt Governor, Puducherry, Lt Col Neha Khajuria, Pol CUPNK, Lt Col Ayishetu Sandow (Ghana) and Lt Col Sulochana Poudel (Nepal).
• Session 4 - Opportunities for Collaboration in Training and Capacity Building in the Global South. The speakers for this session would include, Lt General M.P. Singh, Director General Staff Duties, Col Samar Raghav, Centre for UN Peacekeeping, Col Phoung Thi Minh Nyugen (Vietnam) and Col Dilya Akhmetova (Kazakhstan).
• Session 5 - Promoting Regional Cooperation in Peacekeeping: The Global South Context. The concluding session will witness participation by Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix, USG DPO, Tshering W. Sherpa, JS (UNP), MEA, Brig Joyce C Sitienei (Kenya) and Alesi Dau (Fiji).

This conference reaffirms India's leadership in promoting inclusive and effective peacekeeping operations, underscoring the nation's commitment to gender equality and the vital role women play in global security and peace efforts. Through collaborative discussions and actionable strategies, the conference will enhance the understanding of the role of women peacekeepers and increase their impact on future missions.