Strengthening women's leadership role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding

On the morning of October 30, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (Ministry of National Defense) in coordination with the United Nations Development Program in Vietnam (UNDP Vietnam) organized a Youth Forum on the leadership role of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

Delegates discuss at the forum. Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA

Co-chairing the forum were Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department and Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam.

The forum is an opportunity to promote the image, organize exchange activities between youth and women; inspire and arouse the young generation, recognize and honor the contributions of women in their leadership roles, to encourage generations of young women to strive to become future leaders of Vietnam and the world, more specifically female leaders of the United Nations peacekeeping force.

The activity also contributes to reaffirming the commitment of Vietnam and the region to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, especially the leadership role of women in non-traditional fields, including peacekeeping activities; calling for close coordination of the United Nations and international partners towards this commitment through the participation of experts.

Speaking at the forum, Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh emphasized that since sending the first officers to join the UN peacekeeping force in 2014, Vietnam has achieved many proud results. The proportion of women participating in the form of units accounts for 14%, and in the form of individuals accounts for 17.6%. In addition, the Ministry of National Defense has sent 4 Vietnamese officers to work at the United Nations Headquarters. The Ministry of Public Security has sent 22 officers in the form of individuals (of which 8 are women) to the 3 missions UNMISS, UNISFA, MINUSCA and the United Nations Headquarters.

Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, speaks. Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA

In particular, the rate of female soldiers participating in Vietnam's peacekeeping activities is always high (nearly 16%) compared to the general level of the United Nations, clearly demonstrating Vietnam's commitment to implementing Resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council on Women, Peace and Security.

According to Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh, Vietnamese women, regardless of their role, always demonstrate a sense of responsibility, compassion, steadfastness and strong character. In the UN peacekeeping environment, they are not only participants, but also inspirers, community connectors and contributors to the process of building sustainable peace.

The Deputy Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department expressed his belief that the opinions, initiatives and recommendations presented at the forum will make practical contributions to Vietnam's advisory work, policy planning and practical implementation in this field.

Recognizing the contributions and aspirations of Vietnamese female peacekeepers participating in UN peacekeeping operations to the country, contributing to peace building and maintaining security domestically and internationally, Ms. Ramla Khalidi hopes that the forum will create a bridge between generations, so that the lessons, challenges and achievements of previous generations of women can inspire the next generation; as well as so that the young generation in general can change their perspective, understand and support women more in leadership roles as equal partners of men.

The forum introduced female leadership models in defense, security, and foreign affairs, focusing on the field of United Nations peacekeeping; exchanges and experience sharing among the characters and between the characters and the attending delegates, with practical stories of female soldiers when performing tasks assigned by the Army: Participating in United Nations peacekeeping activities; participating in performing tasks at the 80th Anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and National Day September 2 (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Nga, former Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, shared experiences at the forum. Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA

Delegates also shared about the leadership role and participation of women in the fields of security, defense and humanitarian affairs; shared practical experiences and lessons learned from work practices; as well as drew key messages and inspiration for today's young generation.

Through that, the Forum has built a common awareness of the role of female soldiers in assigned tasks, clearly identified difficulties and challenges; at the same time proposed solutions to improve the capacity and skills of female soldiers in performing tasks in general, and inspire the youth force in particular.

The activity created connections and promoted the participation of youth inside and outside the Army in UN peacekeeping issues; further affirmed the role of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department - the core in issues of Women, Peace, Security (WPS) and the National Action Program (NAP). Following the success of the recent A80 series of events, the forum created an impression of the image of the armed forces participating extensively in international activities.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/tang-cuong-vai-tro-lanh-dao-cua-phu-nu-trong-hoat-dong-gin-giu-va-kien-tao-hoa-binh-20251030151521294.htm