Keeping the peace in a time of pandemic

Every single day, UN peacekeepers put themselves at great risk to provide a valuable service to the global community. Deaths on the job are frequent; more than 3,900 peacekeepers have lost their lives in the line of duty, with last year alone seeing 102 deaths.

Bangladesh’s contribution to UN peacekeeping forces is a matter of great national pride. Not only are we one of the highest contributors to peacekeeping around the world overall, we are also, at present, one of the top contributors of female peacekeepers, thereby blazing the path for gender equality in this field.

This year, the entire world is threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic. In this scenario, the job of peacekeepers has become more dangerous. The panic of coronavirus has swept throughout the world, and nations torn by poverty and political instability are hit particularly hard, and they do not have the system or infrastructure in place to take preventive measures, or cure those who are infected.

The theme this year is Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace, and it intends to mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security.

It is high time to recognize the invaluable contributors, as well as the future potential of women in the peacekeeping forces. Women can gain access to communities that may have previously been hard to reach, solve problems, and protect civilians with improved focus and performance.

While the world fights violent conflict alongside the health risks of an ongoing pandemic, we honour the brave men and women who make the world a better place in incalculable ways.