Female Participation from Bangladesh in UN Peacekeeping Operations: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

In their landmark Resolution 1325 on WPS, the UNDPKO, UN police, UNGA, and UNSC support the implications of women peacekeepers participating in the UN mission. The disparity between the intended and actual implementation of the mandate, the lack of equal opportunity for women, the existence of gender protection norms, and gender stereotypes are just a few of the many factors that contribute to the stagnation in the number of female peacekeepers despite these efforts. These factors also make it difficult for TCCs like Bangladesh to recruit more female peacekeepers for UN peacekeeping operations. Bangladesh, one of the major TCCs, is currently leading the change by recruiting and sending female police, civilian, and peacekeepers to UN missions. Against this backdrop, this article investigates female participation from Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping operations. It also identifies the challenges and opportunities for Bangladeshi female peacekeepers.