Summary:
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By Security Council resolutions and the UN Uniformed Gender Parity Plan 2018–2028, it is an innovative multilateral fund that seeks to hasten progress towards the UN’s gender targets.
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At the ceremony, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN’s Peace Operations chief, urged Member States to keep expanding the options for women to work as “blue helmets” and other uniformed troops.
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The EIF has awarded over $17 million to 20 projects since it was founded in 2019.One of the grantees is the Ghanaian Military Forces, which has deployed four gender-strong units with 1,277 troops, 18% of whom are women across all ranks.
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The EIF’s tenure has been extended until 31 December 2025, according to Jacqueline O’Neill, Canada’s ambassador for women, peace, and security, because “Canada is committed to continuing to fund the EIF.”Speaking at the event were representatives from the armed forces of Ghana and Uruguay.
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They promoted some cutting-edge initiatives supported by the EIF, such as testing family- and gender-friendly policies and providing cross-training to equip military women to participate equally in all job roles required for peacekeeping missions.
Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, opened the event with the statement, “A more gender-responsive mission creates trust with the people they serve and increases its efficacy.”
She also emphasised the crucial contribution that women play in the many peacekeeping missions of today and the necessity of ensuring equitable participation for women.
In 2019, the UN, Canada, and other Member States established the Fund. By Security Council resolutions and the UN Uniformed Gender Parity Plan 2018–2028, it is an innovative multilateral fund that seeks to hasten progress towards the UN’s gender targets.
At the ceremony, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN’s Peace Operations chief, urged Member States to keep expanding the options for women to work as “blue helmets” and other uniformed troops.
“A justice issue”
In his opening remarks, he said, “Our gender parity efforts are also a matter of justice. There should be no constraint based on gender as to what women may achieve in all jobs and levels.
The EIF has awarded over $17 million to 20 projects since it was founded in 2019.
One of the grantees is the Ghanaian Military Forces, which has deployed four gender-strong units with 1,277 troops, 18% of whom are women across all ranks. Another recipient is the Senegalese Police and Gendarmerie.
A total of 14 security institutions funded by the EIF surveyed 3,689 staff members to learn what obstacles prevent women from participating and pledged to put those obstacles to rest by implementing fact-based solutions.
Working on it
The Togolese Military Forces and the Senegalese Police have also educated 5,000 individuals on the need to dispel gender stereotypes and urge women to participate in massive recruitment drives.
In Jordan, Senegal, and Togo, five EIF-funded projects are building gender-sensitive lodgings and facilities to create inclusive spaces for women.
Also, they are enhancing the conditions for its uniformed female soldiers assigned to UN peace operations in Lebanon and Mali (MINUSMA) (UNIFIL).
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the UK’s Minister of State, announced an additional $1.24 million ($1.24 million) donation to the EIF while pledging his full support for the programme.
He remarked, “It is fantastic to see how programmes financed by the EIF are already addressing participation barriers.
Scaling back
At the ceremony, he added, “Additional funding will mean the Fund can scale up that impact and make gender parity a future reality.”
Moreover, the Republic of Korea declared a further $5000 payment. The EIF’s tenure has been extended until 31 December 2025, according to Jacqueline O’Neill, Canada’s ambassador for women, peace, and security, because “Canada is committed to continuing to fund the EIF.”
Speaking at the event were representatives from the armed forces of Ghana and Uruguay. They promoted some cutting-edge initiatives supported by the EIF, such as testing family- and gender-friendly policies and providing cross-training to equip military women to participate equally in all job roles required for peacekeeping missions.
