January 11, 2019: When UN chief of mission Elizabeth Spehar, welcomed new commander of the peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Major General Cheryl Pearce from Australia, it was a landmark in United Nations history. It's the first time that the top three positions in a UN peacekeeping mission - civilian, military and police - have all been held by women.

“UNFICYP becomes the only UN peacekeeping operation in history to not only be led by a female Special Representative of the Secretary General but to now also have female leadership in both uniformed components,” Spehar said at a welcoming ceremony for Pearce on Monday.

“I hope your example will help encourage increasing numbers of women in senior UN peacekeeping roles,” she added.

Read more: CYPRUS: First time in UN history a mission and peace force is led by women (http://www.financialmirror.com)