May 13, 2019: Retno LP Marsudi, Foreign Minister of Indonesia, delivered a speech touching upon the importance of female peacekeepers on May 7 at the United Nations Security Council.

Minister Marsudi noted that "investing in women equals investing in peace. Female peacekeepers are more effective in winning the hearts and minds of local populations;providing comfort for those traumatized by conflicts.

There is also strong evidence that women’s participation in peace processes increases the likelihood of sustained peace by 20 percent as well as contributing to longer and more resilient peace....[therefore,] Indonesia is committed to enhancing the role of female peacekeepers. For the first time, the number of our female peacekeepers has exceeded 100 and we are committed to further increasing this number."

Read more: Blue Helmets: Model for Global Partnership (thejakartapost.com)