Brazil exceeded, in 2022, the percentage of 20% of the total number of security agents formed by women to act in international peace missions of the United Nations (UN). The number was above the gender parity strategy created by the organization ꟷ “Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy” 2018-2028 ꟷ on the participation of women, per contributing country, in individual missions and which set a minimum of 19% of the total staff, until reaching 25% in 2028. The theme “Gender Equality” is one of the sustainable development goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
With a history of more than 70 years of participation in peacekeeping missions, the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces constantly invest in initiatives to increase the number of women in their ranks. The initiative is in line with the National Defense Policy, a document that guides the efforts of society and establishes goals to ensure national sovereignty, in this specific case in the area of diplomacy and cooperation for regional stability and world peace.
Training – For this important result to be achieved by the Brazilian Armed Forces, the Naval Peace Operations Center (COpPazNav) and the Brazilian Joint Center for Peace Operations (CCOPAB), both in Rio de Janeiro, have been preparing Brazilian and foreign military, police and civilian personnel of both genders for missions of this nature.
In all, in 2022, 23 courses focused on employment in peace operations were promoted, with the participation of 1,580 Brazilian military and civilian personnel, as well as 48 foreigners from 24 countries. Among the subjects taught, the courses and internships focused on civil-military coordination, actions against landmines, humanitarian operations, and military intelligence, are worth mentioning.
In this context, the participation of women in these training courses and in other specific preparation activities aims to increase the number of Brazilian peacekeepers in peace operations. Moreover, the expansion of training opportunities for this segment has contributed to increase the quality and efficiency of the performance of our human resources in a fuller, more equal and meaningful way in UN missions, strengthening the advancement of the “Women, Peace and Security Agenda” nationally and internationally.
By Carolina Militão and Rayanne Bueno
Photos: FAB and UN