𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄

The adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in 2000 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), alongside other related frameworks, underscores the critical need to enhance women’s participation and promote gender equality in Peace Support Operations (PSO). Increasing the involvement of Women Military Officers (WMO) in these operations remains a key strategy in advancing this global agenda.In response to this call, the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), through a Curriculum Writing Board (CWB) convened in April 2025, developed the Women Military Officers in Peace Support Operations Course (WMOC). The course is designed to equip participants with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective and meaningful participation in the implementation of peace operations mandates.The current WMOC brings together 20 female military officers from Kenya and Ghana. The programme aims to strengthen their leadership capabilities, enhance their understanding of cross-cutting issues in PSO, and prepare them to effectively perform in complex peace operations environments.The two-week course is sponsored by the Government of Canada, reflecting its continued commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting capacity-building initiatives in peace operations. During the opening ceremony, the Canadian Defence Attaché to Kenya, Colonel Todd Braithwaite, encouraged participants to actively engage, share experiences, and build professional networks to maximize the benefits of the training.Speaking at the same event, the Commandant Peace and Conflict Studies School (PCSS), Colonel Emma Ngigi, expressed appreciation to the Government of Canada for its continued support. “The contemporary peace and security environment continues to evolve, and peace operations today require highly skilled, adaptable and professional personnel. The integration of gender perspectives and the increased participation of women in peace operations are now widely recognized as essential elements in achieving sustainable peace,” she emphasized.The WMOC continues to serve as a forum for empowering women military officers, ultimately contributing to more inclusive, effective, and responsive peace operations.