Senegal seeks to increase female participation in UN peacekeeping

Senegalese Minister of the Armed Forces, Yankoba Diémé, addressed the United Nations in New York to advocate for greater female representation in peacekeeping operations. He emphasized that the effectiveness and legitimacy of such missions depend on equitable gender representation, aligning with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the ‘Women, Peace and Security’ Agenda.

Currently, women make up 7.33% of Senegalese military contingents, while the national target is to reach 13% by 2026. To bridge this gap, the ministry plans to expand recruitment, enhance continuous training, and increase access to operational roles, including infantry units.

Senegal has implemented several initiatives to support these goals, including a national action plan and a gender-specific sectoral strategy for its armed forces. Recent efforts supported by the ELSIE Fund have focused on identifying deployment obstacles, adapting infrastructure, and expanding female recruitment. Additionally, the minister called for strengthened measures to prevent and combat sexual exploitation and abuse during missions.