Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday met women military officers from 15 countries and 12 Indian women officers participating in the United Nations Women Military Officer Course (UNWMOC-2025). During this, the Defense Minister described them as “torches of change” in global peace efforts. The course is being organized from 18 to 29 August at the Manekshaw Center in New Delhi. It is organized by the Center for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of External Affairs, with the aim of enhancing the professional capacity of women officers so that they can play a more effective role in UN peacekeeping operations.
Rajnath Singh said India, being the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, has always promoted women’s participation. “We are strengthening policies to encourage women’s participation in our armed forces and peacekeeping forces, so that they have equal opportunity to lead and serve,” he said. He stressed that women officers bring “invaluable perspectives and unique perspectives” to peacekeeping missions, helping to strengthen trust with local communities, prevent incidents of sexual violence and facilitate effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Women officers from Armenia, DR Congo, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uruguay and Vietnam are participating in this course. Rajnath Singh described the presence of these officers as “a symbol of the spirit of unity and cooperation of the United Nations”. On this occasion, the Defense Minister also released the UN Journal 2025 titled ‘Blue Helmet Odyssey: 75 Years of Indian Peacekeeping’, which highlights India’s 75 years of contribution to global peace. The course is providing training on challenges related to modern peacekeeping, which includes topics such as international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, rights of refugees, conflict-related sexual violence and protection of children. During this, a field demonstration will also be presented by an infantry battalion designated for UN duty. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior defense officials were also present at the event.
