Former UN Force Commander: Why Do We Need More Women in Peace Operations?

Listen to a former UN Force Commander explain why WPS is not just a women’s issue, but everyone’s issue regarding the success of UN Peacekeeping Operations. The speaker, Lieutenant General Ingrid Gjerde (then Major General when recorded), participated in the Korea Peacekeeping Forum for Women’s Empowerment hosted by the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality in partnership with the Ministry of National Defense for the Republic of Korea last year.
Lieutenant General Ingrid Gjerde | Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Defense & Former Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
Lieutenant General Ingrid Gjerde of Norway was the Force Commander for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) from 2021 to 2023. In addition to UN peacekeeping missions, Major General Gjerde has a distinguished career in the Norwegian Defence Force. She was recently appointed Chief of the Norwegian Defence Staff. Before this appointment, Major General Gjerde was the Chief of Public Affairs for the Norwegian Defence from 2018 to 2019, as well as Chief of Staff and second in command of the Norwegian army from 2016 to 2018. She headed the Army Military Academy (2013-2016) and led her country’s contingent deployed to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. Among other postings, she commanded the Norwegian King’ 's Battalion from 2006 to 2009 and was deployed within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commanding a Norwegian platoon (1994-1995). Major General Gjerde is a graduate of the Norwegian Military Academyม and the US Army Command and Staff College and the US Army War College. She holds a master’s degree (Cand. Polit.) from Oslo University
Timestamp:
00:06 - From your experience, why do you think having more women in peace operations is important and necessary?
01:32 - What are some of the gender stereotypes about women peacekeepers, and what have been your actual experiences in the field?
03:38 - What words of encouragement would you offer to those facing the challenge of gender discrimination?
04:54 - Where in the military and peace operations do you think we need more women?
05:54 - For those who might not share your concern for gender equality, what would you like to say?

[@ChicagoWheels]

Ya Why?😂😂😂