Brasília (DF) – Lieutenant Colonel Renata de Castro Monteiro Netto, deployed on a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, has been nominated for the United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2023. This is the first time that a Brazilian Army servicewoman has competed for the award in this category, which recognizes the dedication and effort of soldiers in peace missions around the world, under the aegis of the UN.
The Brazilian began working in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in February 2023, as a military observer. Her job is to observe, monitor and report any kind of human rights violation witnessed during air, riverine and motorized patrols in conflict areas previously stipulated by the UN. She performs her role unarmed, leading patrols wearing the blue helmet, symbol of the Organization’s presence in ceasefire areas.
“I feel very proud to represent the 14,000 military personnel at UNMISS, who dedicate themselves every day to peacekeeping. On the other hand, I feel an immense responsibility. On one side of my uniform, I represent the UN, an internationally respected institution. On the other, I carry my country’s flag and its long tradition of success in peacekeeping missions. On my chest, I carry the name of my family, my strength and my daily motivation. Finally, I represent all the military women with whom I am grateful to live,” she said.
Initially, the lieutenant colonel was deployed in Malakal, a town in the north of South Sudan, close to the border with Sudan, the country from which it seceded 14 years ago. It was in this region that the officer played the important role that led to her nomination for the award. During a wave of violence and instability in the Civilian Protection Camp in 2023, she played an outstanding role in the evacuation and rescue of 70 children and 30 vulnerable women, ensuring that human rights were not violated in the conflict area. She coordinated the negotiation and establishment of a safe area to relocate the affected civilian population.
After six months in the field, Lieutenant Colonel Renata Monteiro was relocated to Juba, the country’s capital. She currently works at the UNMISS Headquarters Operations Center, as the liaison officer between the South Sudanese Armed Forces and the Operation’s leadership. Her office is responsible for coordinating all troop movements, patrols, entourages and delegations, as well as managing weapons, ammunition and aeromedical evacuation operations.
Like many members of the Brazilian Army, Lieutenant-Colonel Renata Monteiro has played an outstanding role in international missions, thanks to her operational skills, professionalism, dedication and camaraderie. “During the training period for the mission, all the courses and manuals said that the military observers are the eyes and ears of the UN on the ground, but I also tried to bring to the people the friendly and supportive hand, the motto of our Army, and characteristic of the Brazilian people.”
She joined the Army in 1996 as a dentist in the Brazilian Army Health Service. Throughout her career, she has held numerous positions. She was head of the Dentistry Division at the Brasília Military Hospital and a staff officer in the 16th Jungle Infantry Brigade. In 2019, he joined the International Humanitarian Aid Mission, USNS Comfort, the largest hospital ship in the world, where he was able to provide dental care and humanitarian aid to thousands of people in South America and the Caribbean.
The award
The UN Military Advocate for Gender Equality award was created in 2016 and has already had two Brazilian winners, in the 2018 and 2019 editions, both members of the Brazilian Navy.
The nomination is made by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the Commander of the Military Force. All military personnel who have distinguished themselves in the year 2023 with actions aimed at gender equity and parity are in the running.
Each peacekeeping mission chooses its military representative. A committee evaluates the biography and the history of actions carried out to make the final decision. The result should be announced at the end of May in New York, at the United Nations headquarters, during the celebrations for Peacekeeper Day on May 29.
*** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***