The Ministry of Defence has announced its intention to increase the number of women on peacekeeping operations as a commemorative ceremony took place at the Cenotaph…

Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster commemorated the sacrifice and successes made by UN Peacekeepers around the world during a ceremony at the Cenotaph. As a demonstration of the commitment to UN Peacekeeping operations and the importance that they play in protecting communities, the Defence Secretary has announced a number of new measures to reaffirm the role of servicewomen on these important operations:

  • Ensure enough UK women are deployed to the UN peacekeeping operation in Cyprus to enable mixed gender patrols and commit to a minimum of 6% of personnel being women who are available for patrols
  • Conduct a MOD study to identify barriers to women joining peacekeeping operations and action the results of the study
  • Reaffirm the commitment that women make up at least 15% of UK personnel on UN peacekeeping missions by 2028

The Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: “The protection of innocent civilians is some of the most valuable work that our Armed Forces undertake, and it is often done in the most dangerous places in the world. Our armed forces already provide an invaluable contribution to peacekeeping operations both by protecting vulnerable women and empowering them to help bring about lasting peace.

“Having women in these roles is absolutely vital. On the day that we remember all those who have contributed to the successes of peacekeeping around the world, it is right that we redouble our efforts to engrain the role of women into our own operations.”