Chief Warrant Officer Alizeta Kabore Kinda of Burkina Faso has become the 12th recipient of the United Nations Award for Woman Police Officer of the Year. She is the first member of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to be awarded this honour.

In a ceremony on 30th August in New York, officials commended Officer Kinda for her inspiring work on gender parity, child protection and human rights in the Menaka region of Mali. Her efforts to support victims of sexual violence and gender-based abuse as a dedicated 'gender focal point' have been critical in the region: prior to her arrival instances of such gendered crimes went unreported and women did not feel able to seek medical aid. Now, thanks to her community work, an average of 3 women a month come forward to seek help from the authorities.

UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, commented:

“Chief Warrant Officer Kinda’s work is a shining example of how the participation of women police in peace operations directly impacts the sustainability of peace, by helping to bring different perspectives to the table and making our work more inclusive".

‍

Security Women is delighted to see this excellent work of a female peacekeeper recognised at the highest level and sends warmest congratulations to Officer Kinda.