WION in Congo: Remarkable role of Indian women officers in UN Peacekeeping operations
WION in Congo
Many lady officers are being deployed as Military Observers in far-flung rural areas
Congo has witnessed deployment of the Indian military in various phases under the auspice of UN Mission. What is unique is the rising workforce of the Indian women officers in the field duty in Congo. Many lady officers are being deployed as Military Observers in far-flung rural areas.
The military observers are posted without weapons in rural areas to build community confidence. What was considered to be men’s domain, has been pockmarked by women. Indian women Military Observers work and stay together with Military Observers from foreign countries when deployed in the field. Their participation in the work-force as observers to has increased. Sources say that target now is being kept at 15 per cent of the total observers deployed.
One of the woman observers said that with foreign national as Miliatry Observers, many levels of adjustment is required as it is not only about language and lifestyle but also about food.
"High portion of Garam Masala in food is interpreted an act of displeasure on our part by the foreign Military Observers. Unko lagta hai ki hum naaraz hain. So, we are careful when we work out our food, least wrong message goes out,” said one of the lady officers posted as Military Observer in rural Congo.
Most of the lady officers work in isolated areas with an extremely poor road network. Any emergency is supposed to be ideally met with air support but as usual, it is the premium in ethnically torn Congo.
Today, Congo sits on the border of being a failed state where people openly talk about trifurcation of the country. Elections are delayed and local militias continue to milk country’s vast resources to fund their little armies which are a terror in rural and uncontactable parts of Congo. It is for this reason that UN Peacekeeping Mission is present in the country.
On being asked about the absence of weapon and insecurity, one of the officers said that weapon would defeat the purpose of building confidence in the rural area. “Our training remains the same. There exists set protocols. We don’t feel the difference just because we are women. Things are changing slowly for but they are changing for good,” said one of the lady officers.
Their participation in the workforce as observers has increased. Sources say that target by Indian Military is now is being kept at 15 percent of the total observers deployed.