Pakistan is one of the largest contributors to United Nations’ Peacekeeping Missions. What most people miss is the staggering number of female UN Peacekeepers that hail from Pakistan. Surprised? So are we, and in a good way.
Pakistan’s permanent envoy to the United Nations Madeeha Lodhi recently took time out to appreciate these female UN peacekeepers. The UN ambassador highlighted the service of one Fozia Perveen in particular.
“We are proud of our female (and male) peacekeepers who serve in UN Missions.”
Madeeha Lodhi shared a photograph of a female UN peacekeeper Major Fozia Perveen who is serving in a UN mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
We are proud of our female (and male) peacekeepers who serve in UN Missions.Major Fozia Perveen is serving in theUN mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) , seen here on a patrol in the Buffer Zone.Picture thanks to the UN pic.twitter.com/t7LRUvlcQn
— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) June 27, 2019
This isn’t the first time Maleeha Lodhi highlighted the contributions of Pakistan’s female UN peacekeepers. She mentions both men and women when lauding Pakistan’s contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.
Last year while commemorating Pakistan’s contributions to United Nation’s Peacekeeping Missions, she shone the spotlight on military doctor Khushboo.
Pakistan is proud to be one of the longest serving and largest Troop contributing country to U.N. Peacekeeping pic.twitter.com/l6dqvacmJJ
— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) May 29, 2018
Pakistani medical officer Khushboo is one of many military officers serving in UN peacekeeping missions abroad.
Last year while lauding Pakistan’s contributions to UN Peacekeeping missions on International Peacekeeping Day, the UN made sure to highlight women soldiers. The UN chose female UN peacekeepers to thank Pakistan for it’s contributions to UN peacekeeping.
Since 1948, more than a million men & women have served as UN Peacekeepers around the world, risking their lives to protect others.
More on Today's International Day of UN Peacekeepers here: https://t.co/2sUWH2iUrP pic.twitter.com/ZwRtT8Xuc1
— United Nations Pakistan – اقوام متحدہ پاکستان (@UNinPak) May 29, 2018
You know whats more amazing? That same year Pakistan achieved the United Nation’s target of deploying 15% female military and staff officers in peacekeeping missions in 18 months. In 2015 the UN Security Council called on peacekeeping contributors to double the number of female soldiers deployed in the uniform component.
The UN Office of Military Affairs set the target of deploying 15% female military and staff officers in missions by December 2018. On the female UN peacekeeper front, Pakistan has set a great example for other countries to emulate.
