Peruvian Defense Minister Jose Huerta has noted that —for the first time in the history of contingents— 20 military women have joined a peacekeeping mission.
Within this framework, the high-ranking official on Monday presided over the farewell ceremony for the IV Contingent of Peru Engineering Company —known as
Blue Helmets— whose members will depart on a peace mission to the Central African Republic.
The Inca nation's contingent is composed of 205 military officers from the three Armed Forces. 121 belong to the Army, 56 to the Navy, and 28 to the Air Forces. They will depart on January 20.
Women participation
Out of the total, 11 women are part of the Army, 6 of the Navy, and 3 of the Air Forces.
The main goal of their participation as military women is to establish a link with the population —especially women and children— by assisting them in social issues through humanitarian aid campaigns carried out by the UN.
"Peru already counts on 12.2% of women's participation, and we are close to the 15% recommended by the UN for national forces in peacekeeping operations," Minister Huerta underlined.
On the occasion, he was joined by the Head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces, Commander General Cesar Astudillo, as well as other high-ranking military officers.
(END) NDP/DTK/MVB