As I continue to notice that more women are arriving to join as peacekeepers in the mission, the one in Liberia, as well as hearing stories from friends who just recently joined the peacekeeping mission elsewhere. Several of us, women staffers move around from this mission taking up assignment, either as lateral move, exerising mobility and/or getting promotions to a higher grade/level.

At first, I have doubts whether or not I could be strong enough to join field assignments. It was back in 2004 that I had decided to decide that “I need to swim with the sharks in order to be a proficient swimmers”. Then I plunged myself embarking to Liberia, leaving the home comfort of living and working in New York City.

Just like the typical New York Princess, depicted in some characters under Sex and the City, I guess this princess dress has given me more burden rather than being elegant. For some, being single and live and work in New York, is a dream.. however, maybe my dreams have moved to exploring other parts of the world.

A huge jump, I dared myself to join the mission, along with other women-friends I knew have gone earlier and exchanged updates from time-to-time, then was my turn. The plane landed me in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.. you can imagine the two extremes between New York City’s Skyscrapers to thick woods of Monrovia. What a change!

Time passes by as some of us noticed it less. Apart from the high turn over of staffs joining the mission, during the earlier days mostly dominated by men. However as I began to get to know people outside from the ones in my office, I’ve seen more and more women taking charge of the day-to-day operations and handling challenging post and tasks.

Given the special contributions that women can make to peacekeeping operations, a United Nations-backed conference has called for more female staffers in the world body’s operational requirements… I don;t know whether you realize it or not, that on most vacancy announcement, it has always said: “Women applicant is highly encouraged”.

Gender disparity is evident in the numbers: women make up just 1 per cent of United Nations, especially in its deployed military personnel overall and 4 per cent of police.

Talking about Peace operations, as of mid-2006, women constituted only 746 military personnel, compared with 63,862 male peace-keepers, and count just 314 of the 7,408 police personnel worldwide.

The UN have been asking Member States to double the numbers of women being deployed every year for the next few years. This clearly describe that “greater representation of women is necessary to strengthen the implementation of mission mandates.”

One thing I know for sure that among other start-up peace operations, lots of vacancies at UN Peace Operations under these missions:

1. UNMIS – United Nations Mission in Sudan
2. UNAMID – United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur
3. MINURCAT – United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic

Interested to find out more on UN Jobs, feel free to sign up here!.

Just my personal views, In general, for those of you whom wishing to join as field staff, perhpas the characteristics below reflect the qualities to match:

1. Good judgment, supported by a common-sense approach to problem-solving;
2. Objective attitude, displaying tact and impartiality;
3. Polite demeanor, combined with a firm but flexible and honest approach;
4. Considerable self-discipline and patience;
5. A friendly, open approach to other nationalities and a ready sense of humor;
6. Ability to influence others, resulting from imagination and persuasiveness; and
7. Demonstrable leadership skills.

Having said the above, so what is actualy all this situation means to us, women?. I would say that this means more opportunities for us. Wanted to hear some sucess stories?.

Meet one of my close colleagues, Karina, she is a water sanitation engineer, came from Poland, embarking to her peacekeeping journey, supporting the Engineering Section here in the mission in Liberia. Karina plays an instrumental role in ensuring major water sanitation-related projects are done on-time.

Working together with men-colleagues, she has been contributing positively as well as grasping new horizons and acquring new capabilities in leadership.

Karina and many other fun-fearless-female, has made this mission an interesting experience to all. I’d encourage you to come and join us. Welcome to the United Nations: It is your [women’s] world, too! :-)