UNMIL PR 62
Monrovia, Liberia – UN Envoy Ellen Margrethe Løj has expressed optimism that the work of the all-female Indian Formed Police Unit serving in Liberia will inspire more Liberian girls and women to serve their nation by joining the country's law enforcement agencies. She said the Indian policewomen have infused a culture of tolerance, a tradition of respect and a natural inclination towards peaceful coexistence in UN operations. Ms. Løj made these remarks when she decorated 125 Indian female peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) with UN peacekeeping medals for their contribution to peace and stability in Liberia.
"I hope the inspiration that you have provided Liberian girls and women will be among the many lasting impressions of your work here in Liberia; and your work here will leave a positive legacy in the Rule of Law sector in Liberia," Ms. Løj said, commending the positive contributions of the Indian peacekeepers.
UN Envoy Løj praised the peacekeepers for the important outreach programmes they have provided to the Congo Town communities. With basic self-defense training and computer classes, the peacekeepers have reached out to Liberian women and developed their capacities and practical skills to empower them to improve their lives. "Your medical outreach and awareness campaigns to promote proper hygiene and sanitation have touched the lives of many community members in Congo Town; you have adopted the pupils of Hebron Orphanage and Victory Chapel School, and you have positively changed their lives."
Paying tribute to Commander Annie Abraham for her excellent and exemplary leadership, Ms. Løj said that the Commander had employed her skills and professionalism to effectively lead the unit. "The unit hit the ground running on arrival and showed itself to be a capable force, protecting UN officials and VIPs, as well as protecting various installations."
Ms. Løj praised India for being the first country to send an all-female Formed Police Unit to a peacekeeping mission in support of the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. "This resolution recognizes that armed conflicts often affect women and girls most severely, and so it mandates that women should play a more active role in peacekeeping efforts," she noted. Since their first mission in Korea in 1950, Indian blue helmets continue to make a difference in a variety of capacities in missions such as Iraq, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Haiti and Liberia.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, "be the change that you want to see in the world," the Special Representative of the Secretary-General reminded all peacekeepers serving with UNMIL to display utmost professionalism in their work: "Our behavior must be a demonstration of our commitment to upholding the essential qualities of trust and respect in our daily interactions with our Liberian brothers and sisters," she stressed.
Attending the medal award ceremony were the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Rule of Law, Ms. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu; Director of Mission Support, Mr. Stephen Lieberman; Acting Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Carl Modey; and Acting Police Commissioner, Mr. Gautam Sawang. Commerce and Industry Minister Hon. Miatta Beyslow, Her Excellency Shamma Jain, Ambassador of India accredited to Liberia, and other members of the Diplomatic Corps in Liberia, also attended the ceremony.
