INTERNATIONAL DAY SPOTLIGHTS NEED FOR MORE WOMEN IN UN PEACEKEEPING

INTERNATIONAL DAY SPOTLIGHTS NEED FOR MORE WOMEN IN UN PEACEKEEPING
New York, May 29 2009 11:00AM
The United Nations is marking the annual International Day of Peacekeepers by honouring the brave troops, police and civilians who serve in some of the most difficult places around the world, and by stressing the unique role played by women and the need to deploy more of them.

This year's commemoration comes at a time when the services of UN peacekeepers are in greater demand than ever. Deployment is at a record high, with more than 113,000 peacekeepers serving in 18 operations on four continents.

Yet, "there are still far too few women peacekeepers," as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted in his <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sgsm12240.doc.htm">message for the Day, pointing out that women make up only 8 per cent of the UN police and 2 per cent of its military personnel.

"With women joining national militaries and police in greater numbers, it is critical that Member States contribute even more female personnel to the United Nations," he stated, highlighting the "power of women" to strengthen UN peacekeeping while helping women and girls themselves to transform their destinies – and societies – for the better.

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has urged troop- and police-contributing countries to deploy more women. India was among the first to answer the call in 2007 with the deployment of a 125-member all-female police contingent to Liberia.

The world body is also working to increase the number of women in senior positions at Headquarters and in field missions.

"We have done a lot but we need to do a great deal more," Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Alain Le Roy stated.

"Peacekeeping has become more multifaceted. We assist in providing security, reforming State institutions and supporting political transitions. Our women peacekeepers make a critical contribution in all of these areas and their work encourages others to participate in local peace processes," said Mr. Le Roy.

General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto, in his message for the Day, stressed that peacekeepers do not just carry out their mandated tasks. "They create a lasting legacy by exemplifying how military and police can engage in humanitarian work while interacting respectfully with civil society.

"UN operations do more than just silence the guns," he said. "Increasingly, they help to foster a culture of sustainable peace in countries devastated by conflict, some that have lasted for decades."

From New York to Naqoura, Darfur to Dili, the Day is being marked globally with a range of events, including ceremonies to honour those who paid the ultimate price in the service of peace. In 2008, 132 peacekeepers – including 10 women – lost their lives, whether through attacks, illnesses or accidents – the highest one-year total in the history of the Organization.

Designated by the General Assembly in 2002, the International Day is observed on 29 May, the date in 1948 when the first UN peacekeeping mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began operations in Palestine.
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BAN HIGHLIGHTS ‘TIMELESS IMPORTANCE OF MOTHERS’ ON INTERNATIONAL DAY

BAN HIGHLIGHTS 'TIMELESS IMPORTANCE OF MOTHERS' ON INTERNATIONAL DAY
New York, May 15 2009 9:00AM
In an ever-changing world facing multiple challenges, the timeless importance of mothers and their invaluable contribution to raising the next generation remains a constant factor, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

In a message for the International Day of Families, observed on 15 May, Mr. Ban stressed that mothers play a critical role in the family, which is a powerful force for social cohesion and integration.

This year's theme, "Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World," focuses on the important role of mothers for families and communities around the world.

"The mother-child relationship is vital for the healthy development of children. And mothers are not only caregivers; they are also breadwinners for their families. Yet women continue to face major – and even life-threatening – challenges in motherhood," noted the Secretary-General.

While childbirth should be a cause for celebration, it is a grave health risk for too many women in developing countries, he pointed out. A woman in a least-developed country is 300 times more likely to die in childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications than a woman in a developed country.

"We must make pregnancy and childbirth safer by enabling health systems to provide family planning, skilled attendance at birth and emergency obstetric care," stressed Mr. Ban.

In addition, he said it is also vital to combat violence against women, which remains "one of the most pervasive human rights violations of our time," as well as to ensure universal access to education.

"The benefits of educating women and girls accrue not only to individual families but to whole countries, unlocking the potential of women to contribute to broader development efforts," he noted.
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