First Corporal Carolina Bandeira, 45, has been serving as an auxiliary nurse in the Uruguay Armed Forces (UAF) for 15 years. Her first peacekeeping deployment was to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2020, and she is now serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the area of separation on the Golan Heights. She shares her experiences on challenging gender norms in the military and the need to inspire more women to deploy.
Since the age of 16, Carolina Bandeira had ambitions to serve in the military. She is currently serving in her second UN Peace Operation. Photo: UAF
What was the biggest change for you when you signed up to the Uruguay Armed Forces?
I always wanted to join the army, but I waited until my children were older. I spent six years as a housewife before finally enlisting at age 30. I felt like it was my time – now or never – and I embraced it. With my husband serving in the armed forces and no family support nearby, I had to juggle childcare, long commutes and full-time commitment. I joined a mechanized infantry battalion and was one of only two women accepted that year. At first, some men would literally stand up and leave the table when I sat down. But over time, I gained respect through my dedication and versatility. Although I serve as a nurse and a training instructor, I also conduct field operations. Over time, my experience is that perceptions of women in the military have shifted and we are increasingly regarded as equals.
What sort of challenges do you experience on deployment?
My biggest fear on mission was being far from my family. I was more worried something would happen to my family in Uruguay, and I could not solve it. But the experience was transformative for me. Despite the resilience of the Congolese people, this cycle of conflict holds them back from progressing. One of the most difficult moments for me was visiting an orphanage. I remained heartbroken for days. Children should be playing and laughing, but they’re enduring unimaginable suffering. I feel our presence did make a difference; our battalion’s patrols would deter some of the armed groups.
Why is internal awareness raising in the force important?
I was able to share my experience with other personnel in the UAF last year. These sessions can inspire women to break out of traditional roles. Many join as clerks or nurses and stay there. I encourage others to deploy; I tell them it’s good for them and their children – sometimes it’s valuable to learn that mum won’t always be there. We need more spaces to share our experiences in peacekeeping. Before my deployment I only had one perspective from a woman available to me, but the way men and women experience missions is not the same. We must amplify each other’s voices.
With financial support from the Elsie Initiative Fund, the UAF and UN Women Uruguay organised a series of awareness-raising sessions on UN Peace Operations for military personnel. In 2024, 778 personnel took part, hearing directly from Carolina and other women about their deployment experiences. These exchanges helped broaden understanding of the different perspectives women bring to missions. Since then, the number of women deployed by the UAF to UNDOF has increased from 4.2 % in 2023 to 8.1 % in 2025.
