08 January, 2010 08:10
RP to send more women peacekeepers
Posted by josecheng at 08 January, 2010 08:10 [ Women ]MANILA, Philippines--The Philippines will deploy more women for the United Nations peacekeeping efforts given this year's UN theme of greater involvement by women in peacekeeping missions, according to Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo.
"Filipino peacekeepers are recognized by the United Nations for their outstanding performance and tireless commitment to maintain global peace and security," Romulo said during the observance of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
He assured the UN that women peacekeepers were at par with their male counterparts.
Earlier, scores of women leaders and activists trooped to the UN headquarters in New York to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the signing of a measure to increase women’s involvement in peace and security issues. Resolution 1325 calls on member states to protect women in conflict and to bring more women into peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction.
They noted the lack of women in talks to end civil conflict, particularly in the talks to end the fighting in the western Sudanese province of Darfur, as well as in post-conflict situations.
Romulo also assured the UN of the government's continued commitment to peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
"As we pay tribute to the noble sacrifices of all UN peacekeepers, we reaffirm our enduring and collective commitment to building world peace," he said.
Romulo said the celebration highlighted the Philippines' contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations as well as appreciation for UN peacekeepers efforts of Filipino soldiers and policemen.
"We especially honor all peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice of laying down their lives in the performance of their sacred duties," he added.
During the event, the Dag Hammarskjold Medal was presented to Immaculate Batalla, the widow of Philippine Army officer Lt. Col. Renerio Batalla who died of malaria in October 2008 while serving with the UN mission in Sudan.
The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is a posthumous award given to members of UN peacekeeping operations who lose their lives in the line of duty.
President Macapagal-Arroyo has declared May 29 of each year as the "International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers in the Philippines."
The Philippines is the third largest troop contributor in Southeast Asia and is ranked 30th in the world.
The Philippines started sending peacekeeping missions in 1963 with the air force deployment in support of the UN mission in Congo.
Subsequent missions were sent to Afghanistan, Burundi, Cambodia, Cote d'Ivoire, Georgia, Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo, Liberia, Nepal, Sudan and Timor-Leste.
