The mostly women US delegation to the 2023 Accra Peacekeeping Ministerial travelled to Ghana to represent their country from December 5 to 6. According to a press release by the US Office of the Spokesperson published on December 7, the "collective efforts [of those in attendance at the Accra Ministerial] seek to uphold and expand our commitments under the UN’s Action for Peacekeeping agenda, operationalize the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace operations, and enhance environmental management in the field." Regarding the WPS agenda, at the event, the US pledged (amongst other goals) to:

• Operationalize their Commitment to Women, Peace, and Security Objectives through the Establishment of a New Partnership to Implement a Women’s Body Armor Pilot Project.  

"The United States continues to prioritize and undertake initiatives that promote the full, equal, and meaningful participation and operational imperative of women in peacekeeping.  In recognition of Ghana’s and Zambia’s leadership in expanding the meaningful participation of women in UN peacekeeping deployments, the United States, the Netherlands, Ghana, and Zambia are partnering on a quadrilateral women’s body armor pilot program. This partnership is being launched in response to needs cited in relevant studies and barriers-to-women assessments regarding the issue of ill-fitting equipment and, specifically, the inadequacy of “unisex” protective equipment for women peacekeepers. The United States and the Netherlands will provide an initial investment of nearly $3 million that will equip deployed women peacekeepers from Ghana and Zambia with women-specific body armor."

• Invest in Police Peacekeeping Capabilities

"Police play essential roles in peacekeeping missions, including protecting civilians from threats in urban environments, where there can be a higher risk of civilian casualties from military operations.  Police peacekeepers are also critical to strengthening accountability and effectiveness of local police. The United States will continue to support and prioritize the launch of the UN Police Job Specific Training (JST) program. Our investment will include up to six UN-certified development courses in 2024, curriculum development expertise, and the provision of instructors for JST train-the-trainer events.  The U.S. investment also includes funding women police peacekeepers attendance at the Women Commander’s Course and other training and events, enhancing the meaningful participation of women in UN peacekeeping."

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