Highlight 44/2024: The Evolution of Peacekeeping: Indonesian Perspective on Women Peacekeepers
Rina Permatasari, 2 December 2024
Indonesia continues to regard the UN peacekeeping mission as one of the most effective tools with significant legitimacy in upholding international peace and security.
“For decades, the Blue Helmets have been a distinct model of a global partnership, collective leadership and shared responsibility for peace… They [the Blue Helmets / Peacekeepers] represent the face of the Security Council on the ground” stated Indonesia’s former Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi during Indonesia’s tenure as E10 in the UN Security Council (2019-2020).
Since 1957, Indonesia has been a dedicated contributor to peacekeeping efforts, proudly sending troops to support global peace and stability. Today, Indonesia ranks 5th out of 121 countries, with a total of 2,738 personnel deployed, including 191 women peacekeepers.
Indonesia and the UN share a strong commitment to advancing gender parity in peacekeeping, recognizing that the inclusion of women is essential for effective and inclusive peace operations, as they foster trust in communities, especially among women and children, who feel more comfortable with the presence of female peacekeepers. Since the implementation of the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy, considerable progress has been achieved in enhancing the representation of women in uniformed peacekeeping positions. Gender-responsive leadership approach is vital for transforming organizational cultures within UN peacekeeping operations. It highlights the potential to address barriers in implementing gender policies and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda by focusing on leadership roles and accountability, but also on improving conditions in conflict zones to better meet the needs of women.
In light of that, Indonesia knows that something needs to be done more, to be done further. Under the Indonesian Presidency, on 28 August 2020, the UN Security Council adopted the historic Resolution 2538 (2020) on Women in Peacekeeping Operations, marking a significant step forward in the recognition of women’s roles within peacekeeping missions. Initiated by Indonesia, the resolution is a major contribution to the country’s diplomacy of peace and a critical milestone in the global effort to enhance women’s participation in conflict resolution.
This resolution is the first to focus specifically on the role of women in UN Peacekeeping Missions, building on earlier steps like Resolution 1325 (2000). Unlike previous efforts, Resolution 2538 sets concrete goals to boost women’s participation in leadership and operational roles, emphasizing gender equality and the contributions of women to conflict prevention and rebuilding. I had the honour to talk with Second Sargeant Silvia Ameliawati, who served as Female Engagement Team in Monusco Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo since April 2023, about her task as women peacekeeper. She said that the role of women is extremely important because women peacekeepers are more easily approaching the community, especially gaining the trust and confidence of women and children there. These engagement activities include thoughtful assistance, like education and the provision of medical facilities, along with promoting ceasefires and supporting peace.[1]
Enhancing the participation of women in peacekeeping requires a steadfast commitment from leadership at all levels, supported by policies that advocate for women’s rights, encourage cultural transformation, and guarantee the provision of adequate resources. The international community must also strengthen the roles of women in peace and security. This can be achieved through political commitments to enhancing their participation in national decision-making processes and in all phases of the peace process. In succinct terms, “Investing in women equals investing in peace”.
[1] Written interview with Second Sargeant Silvia Ameliawati, 21 November 2024
Rina Permatasari, Highlight 44/2024 – The Evolution of Peacekeeping: Indonesian Perspective on Women Peacekeepers, 2 December 2024, available at www.meig.ch
The views expressed in the MEIG Highlights are personal to the authors and neither reflect the positions of the MEIG Programme nor those of the University of Geneva.