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 … Continue reading When Women Lead: Carolina Bandeira on challenging gender norms in the security sector
(version française ci-dessous) Abidjan/New York, 02 October 2025 — The Elsie Initiative Fund has confirmed that Côte d’Ivoire National Police and UN Women Côte d’Ivoire are to receive new funding to strengthen the participation of Ivorian policewomen in United Nations peace operations. The two-year project will address the findings from the Côte d’Ivoire National Police’s … Continue reading Côte d’Ivoire Police set sights on inclusive peacekeeping with latest Elsie Initiative Fund support
Colonel Doctor Thomashire Anita George is the most senior uniformed woman in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). A medical doctor by training, she leads both the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit and the Pediatric and Under-Fives Unit at 34 Military Hospital in Freetown—Sierra Leone’s second-largest medical facility. She shares why improving health services … Continue reading Colonel Doctor Thomashire George on the importance of health services for security sector reform
New York, 29 September 2025 — The Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) has announced funding for a two-year pilot project with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to improve conditions for uniformed women peacekeepers deployed to remote areas. Assessments conducted by UNMISS between 2022 and 2024 found that accommodation and water, sanitation, and hygiene … Continue reading The Elsie Initiative Fund announces new funding to improve conditions for uniformed women peacekeepers in South Sudan
New York, 9 September 2025 – The Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations (EIF) announced today that the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF), in partnership with UN Women Tanzania, has received funding for a landmark initiative to conduct a barrier assessment study to identify and address barriers to women’s participation in United … Continue reading New Elsie Initiative Fund Project to Advance Uniformed Women’s Participationin Tanzania’s Peacekeeping Contributions
Freetown/New York 07 July 2025 — The Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations (EIF) announced today that the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), in partnership with UN Women Sierra Leone, has been awarded funding to enhance the participation and capacity of uniformed women in UN Peace Operations. The two-year project … Continue reading New partnership in Sierra Leone set to strengthen inclusive peacekeeping
New York, 02 June 2025 — The Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations (EIF) announced today that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and Fiji Police Force (FPF) have been awarded funding to conduct studies that identify barriers to women’s participation in United Nations (UN) Peace Operations. The study will adopt the Measuring … Continue reading New study announced to inform Fiji security sector strengthening
Meet five trailblazing women transforming United Nations Peace Operations from the front lines to top command roles. In 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women, world leaders agreed to ensure that women lead and play decision-making roles in conflict resolution and peace efforts. Thirty years since adopting the Beijing Platform for Action, progress in peacekeeping has … Continue reading Who are the women leading peacekeeping?
United Nations Police (UNPOL) officer from Niger on patrol in Timbuktu, Mali, working to secure the city against threats of terrorism and banditry. Photo: UN Photo/Harandane Dicko To build lasting peace around the world, we must consider the specific impacts of conflict on women—and empower them to lead peace efforts. Through its peacekeeping efforts, the … Continue reading Gender equality in peacekeeping: Why it matters for global security
