The inhospitable Abyei region of Sudan is now home to a platoon of Indian Army women peacekeepers. The United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA)’s Indian Battalion is represented by this platoon. Notably, it will be the largest unit of women peacekeepers ever sent by India to a UN mission.
“The team will provide relief & assistance to women & children in one of the highly operational & challenging terrain conditions under the @UN flag.,” Indian Army tweeted.
In 2007, the Indian Army sent the first-ever all-female contingent to Liberia. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister, praised the Indian Army. “Proud to see this. India has a tradition of active participation in UN peacekeeping missions. The participation by our Nari Shakti is even more gladdening,” PM tweeted.
There are 25 Other Ranks and two officers in the Indian contingent. It will specialise in community outreach and be a part of an engagement platoon. The women’s contingent of the Indian Army will also perform other security-related duties, according to a news statement from the UN.
Notably, the recent uptick in violence in Abyei has raised worries for women and children in terms of humanitarian issues. The UNISFA was established by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in response to the critical situation in the Abyei area of Sudan. The action was conducted in accordance with resolution 1990 of June 27, 2011.
In 2007, India became the first nation to send an entirely female troop on a UN peacekeeping operation. Since 1948, more than 200,000 Indians have participated in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping deployments.
