Pak female peacekeepers forging strong ties with Congolese people

new york — Leader of the firstever Pakistani female engagement team serving the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo Major Saba Anwar has said that through hard work the team has established strong bonds with local people, especially women, as part of the world body’s efforts to promote peace in the central African country.

“Enhanced protection has led to a decrease in sexual violence cases, recruitment of child soldiers and threats by armed groups in the region,” Major Saba Anwar said in an online interview from her base in DRC’s province of South Kivu.

She said that the outbreak of coronavirus has not hindered their routine activities aimed at bringing about a change in people’s lives for the better.

Composed of 49 Pakistani female

Enhanced protection has led to a decrease in sexual violence cases, recruitment of child soldiers and threats by armed groups in the region Major Saba Anwar

Leader of Pakistani team

army officers, the team has been part of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for about 11 months.

The officers include psychologists, stress counsellors, vocational training officers, gender advisers, doctors, nurses, operations, information and logistics officers.

Overall, the total strength of UN peacekeeping troops in DRC is 15,171, including 1,978 Pakistanis who form the largest segment of the force.

In her interview, Major Saba Anwar said that female officers in DRC easily engage with women and understand their problems better, enabling the team to carry out its mandate efficiently.

“However”, she said, “FET’s outreach activities are not confined only to women and girls but are also to men and boys of all ages and backgrounds. They see us in uniform, working side-byside with our male counterparts, in specialized fields ... crossing gender barriers (and) working for all segments of the community.” —