PHILIPPINES: PHL Pushes For Participation Of Women In UN Peacekeeping

As it reaffirmed its commitment to the peacekeeping operations of the United Nations (UN), the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (NYPM) pushed for the deployment of more female peacekeepers.

"The Philippine government and the Filipino people remain committed to the agreement we forged with the United Nations to support peacekeeping missions through the rapid deployment of police and military personnel to conflict-ridden parts of the world," NYPM Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Carlos Sorreta said.

Sorreta issued the statement on Wednesday, the second day of the General Debate of the 2011 Substantive Session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations held at the UN headquarters.

The Substantive Session began on February 22 and will end on March 18. It aims to come up with recommendations on how to further strengthen UN peacekeeping operations.

Sorreta also welcomed the increasing participation of women in peacekeeping operations and lauded UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for encouraging member states to deploy more female peacekeepers.

"We call on member states to implement the guidelines in integrating a gender perspective into the work of the United Nations Military in Peacekeeping' launched last year aimed at harnessing the operational expertise of both male and female military personnel to achieve optimum operational effectiveness," Sorreta said.

Sorreta said the Philippines will continue to send Filipino peacekeepers to conflict areas despite the challenges and risks that peacekeepers on the ground face

"The Philippines intends to stay the course despite mounting challenges including limited resources and loss of lives. We condemn the loss of lives of soldiers and police personnel resulting from violent attacks against peacekeepers," Sorreta said.

"This, in no way, alters our resolve to bring peace and stability in countries in conflict and we are committed to closely working with the United Nations to ensure the safety and security of our dedicated and valiant peacekeepers," Sorreta added.

Last year, the deployment of Filipino personnel to UN peacekeeping missions hit an all-time high. They are currently serving in Haiti, Darfur, Cote D'Ivoire, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Liberia, and in the Golan.