Rwandan Women Peacekeepers Lead Action
January 8, 2026
Women peacekeepers from Rwanda serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) played a visible and impactful role in the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Malakal, South Sudan. During the event, they delivered a self-defence demonstration that emphasised women’s protection, agency, and leadership in conflict-affected environments.
From Awareness to Action
Initiated by UNMISS, the campaign underscores the urgent need to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, while reinforcing the commitments of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The participation of Rwandan women peacekeepers demonstrated how women in uniform contribute not only to operational effectiveness but also to community trust, prevention, and empowerment.
The self-defence demonstration underscored the importance of practical, skills-based approaches to protection. In contexts where women and girls face heightened risks of violence, such initiatives complement advocacy by equipping individuals and communities with tools that build confidence, resilience, and safety.
Women’s Leadership in Peace and Security
The presence of women peacekeepers continues to challenge traditional security norms and expand pathways for women’s participation in peace operations. Rwandan women peacekeepers serve as role models, showing that women are critical actors in security, peace building, and violence prevention.
Their leadership reinforces global evidence that women’s meaningful participation improves protection outcomes and advances inclusive, sustainable peace.
Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
This initiative reflects the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent WPS resolutions, which call for increased participation of women in peacekeeping and stronger protection mechanisms for women and girls.
Through advocacy, engagement, and action, women peacekeepers are helping move the WPS agenda from policy to practice.
Sustaining Commitment
As the 16 Days of Activism campaign continues, the leadership shown by Rwandan women peacekeepers highlights the need to sustain the deployment and leadership of women in peace operations, strengthen gender-responsive security approaches, and invest in prevention-focused, community-centred initiatives.
Women in security are not only responding to conflict, they are shaping safer, more inclusive futures.
Walinda Amani Wanawake wa Rwanda Waongoza Hatua
January 8, 2026
Walinda amani wanawake kutoka Rwanda wanaohudumu katika Ujumbe wa Umoja wa Mataifa nchini Sudan Kusini (UNMISS) walichukua nafasi inayoonekana na yenye matokeo katika uzinduzi wa kampeni ya Siku 16 za Kupambana na Unyanyasaji wa Kijinsia huko Malakal, Sudan Kusini. Wakati wa hafla hiyo, walitoa maandamano ya kujilinda ambayo yalisisitiza ulinzi wa wanawake, wakala, na uongozi katika mazingira yaliyoathiriwa na migogoro.
Kutoka kwa Ufahamu hadi Kitendo
Imeanzishwa na UNMISS, kampeni inasisitiza haja ya dharura ya kuzuia na kukabiliana na unyanyasaji wa kijinsia, huku ikisisitiza ahadi za ajenda ya Wanawake, Amani na Usalama (WPS). Ushiriki wa askari wa kulinda amani wanawake wa Rwanda ulionyesha jinsi wanawake waliovalia sare wanachangia sio tu katika ufanisi wa utendaji kazi lakini pia katika imani ya jamii, kuzuia, na uwezeshaji. Maonyesho ya kujilinda yalisisitiza umuhimu wa mbinu za vitendo, zinazotegemea ujuzi katika ulinzi. Katika mazingira ambapo wanawake na wasichana wanakabiliwa na hatari kubwa zaidi za unyanyasaji, mipango kama hii inakamilisha utetezi kwa kuwapa watu binafsi na jamii zana zinazojenga imani, uthabiti na usalama.
Uongozi wa Wanawake kwa Amani na Usalama
Uwepo wa walinda amani wanawake unaendelea kupinga kanuni za jadi za usalama na kupanua njia za ushiriki wa wanawake katika operesheni za amani. Walinda amani wanawake wa Rwanda wanatumika kama mifano ya kuigwa, kuonyesha kwamba wanawake ni wahusika muhimu katika usalama, ujenzi wa amani, na kuzuia ghasia. Uongozi wao unaimarisha ushahidi wa kimataifa kwamba ushiriki wa maana wa wanawake huboresha matokeo ya ulinzi na maendeleo yanayojumuisha, amani endelevu.
Kuendeleza Ajenda ya Wanawake, Amani na Usalama
Mpango huu unaakisi kanuni za Azimio nambari 1325 la Baraza la Usalama la Umoja wa Mataifa na maazimio yaliyofuata ya WPS, ambayo yanatoa wito wa kuongezeka kwa ushiriki wa wanawake katika ulinzi wa amani na mifumo thabiti ya ulinzi kwa wanawake na wasichana. Kupitia utetezi, ushirikishwaji, na hatua, walinda amani wanawake wanasaidia kuhamisha ajenda ya WPS kutoka kwa sera hadi mazoezi.
Ahadi ya Kudumisha
Kampeni ya Siku 16 za Uharakati ikiendelea, uongozi unaoonyeshwa na askari wa kulinda amani wanawake wa Rwanda unaangazia haja ya kuendeleza uwekaji na uongozi wa wanawake katika operesheni za amani, kuimarisha mbinu za usalama zinazozingatia jinsia, na kuwekeza katika mipango inayolenga kuzuia, inayozingatia jamii. Wanawake walio katika usalama sio tu wanajibu migogoro, wanaunda mustakabali ulio salama na unaojumuisha zaidi.
Rwandan Women Peacekeepers Lead Action
January 8, 2026
Women peacekeepers from Rwanda serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) played a visible and impactful role in the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Malakal, South Sudan. During the event, they delivered a self-defence demonstration that emphasised women’s protection, agency, and leadership in conflict-affected environments.
From Awareness to Action
Initiated by UNMISS, the campaign underscores the urgent need to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, while reinforcing the commitments of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The participation of Rwandan women peacekeepers demonstrated how women in uniform contribute not only to operational effectiveness but also to community trust, prevention, and empowerment.
The self-defence demonstration underscored the importance of practical, skills-based approaches to protection. In contexts where women and girls face heightened risks of violence, such initiatives complement advocacy by equipping individuals and communities with tools that build confidence, resilience, and safety.
Women’s Leadership in Peace and Security
The presence of women peacekeepers continues to challenge traditional security norms and expand pathways for women’s participation in peace operations. Rwandan women peacekeepers serve as role models, showing that women are critical actors in security, peace building, and violence prevention.
Their leadership reinforces global evidence that women’s meaningful participation improves protection outcomes and advances inclusive, sustainable peace.
Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
This initiative reflects the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent WPS resolutions, which call for increased participation of women in peacekeeping and stronger protection mechanisms for women and girls.
Through advocacy, engagement, and action, women peacekeepers are helping move the WPS agenda from policy to practice.
Sustaining Commitment
As the 16 Days of Activism campaign continues, the leadership shown by Rwandan women peacekeepers highlights the need to sustain the deployment and leadership of women in peace operations, strengthen gender-responsive security approaches, and invest in prevention-focused, community-centred initiatives.
Women in security are not only responding to conflict, they are shaping safer, more inclusive futures.
