India Makes History As It Sends Single Largest Unit of Women Peacekeepers on a U N Mission

It is a proud moment for India as it sends its largest contingent of women soldiers as part of a battalion deployed to a UN Interim Security Force stationed in the volatile Abyei region on the Sudan-South Sudan border.  The contingent, which will include two commanders and 25 soldiers of various grades, will be the "biggest single unit of women Peacekeepers (connected to) a UN mission" according to a statement from the country's Permanent Mission to the UN. The capacity of women peacekeepers to interact with local women and children, particularly those who have experienced sexual assault in conflict zones, is highly valued in peacekeeping deployments around the world. The platoon was pictured in fatigues with the characteristic sky-blue berets on Twitter by Ruchira Khamboj, India's permanent ambassador to the UN in New York. Conveying her best wishes, she stated that this is the largest deployment of women peacekeepers in recent years. According to a government statement, the women will "be a part of an engagement platoon and specialize in community outreach, though they will be performing extensive security related tasks as well. Their presence will be especially welcome in Abyei, where a recent spike in violence has sparked a series of challenging humanitarian concerns for women and children." During a trip to Cyprus last month, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar praised the contribution of Indian peacekeepers working with the UN. He posted pictures and stated, "Indian peacekeepers serving under the UN flag are appreciated throughout the world."