One of the four priority action areas of the is to improve the working and living conditions in field missions to help bridge the gender gap.
In 2019, the established the Elsie Initiative for Field Missions¡¯ Facilities and Infrastructure project to help make this a reality.
The held its first stakeholder workshop in New York in March 2020.
¡°The input received from our stakeholders and partners was fundamental. We are finalizing the design specifications, concept drawings, and plans and guidelines to help field missions implement the changes," noted Project Manager Geeta Belas.
¡°In October, we conducted consultations with Chief Engineers, 10 field mission representatives, and other key stakeholders, to review the proposed improvements. Our design plans have been endorsed and we are now looking to our stakeholders in the field to start putting these plans and recommendations into action,¡± she added.
The consultation held in October focused on four specific areas: accommodation, ablutions, camp layout, and recreational spaces. The main objective was to identify ways to better meet the needs of both uniformed and civilian women personnel in field missions.
The team seeks to improve designs around various psychological and human factors such as physical and mental well-being, privacy, and social interaction.
In 2020, out of a total of approximately 95,000 peacekeepers, women constituted only 4.8% of military contingents and 10.9% of formed police units. And yet, the active participation of women is fundamental to any successful peace operation!¡± said Christian Saunders, Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management.
¡°We are thus doing our small bit to try to increase women¡¯s participation, through improving the safety and standard of living and working conditions in our peacekeeping operations,¡± said Mr. Saunders.
The Office of Supply Chain Management is in the Department of Operational Support (DOS). Follow us on , and !
