On August 20th, 2025 female peacekeepers in Ghana received $1 million in body armor. The donation, given by the US government, represents the continuation of a longstanding partnership that prioritizes Ghana’s peacekeeping legacy. Beyond its tactical benefits, it also indicates an uptick in crucial female participation in peacebuilding.
The delivery of military protective equipment is part of a joint initiative between Ghana, Zambia, the Netherlands and the US to enhance safety for female soldiers. Considering the stark differences in the construction of male and female body armor, it is essential that peacekeeping forces have access to gear that is designed to accommodate their body shapes. This meeting thus represents a step in the right direction in the fight to ensure safety of female peacekeepers and, as stated by US Embassy Charge D’Affaires Rolf Olson, helping to strengthen their work.
The Role of Women in Peacekeeping
The growing importance of women in peacekeeping efforts in Ghana – and beyond – is apparent. UN officials have long prioritized gender parity in peacekeeping deployment. In the case of Ghanaian women specifically, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) made the increased participation of women a top priority in its 2018 mandate-renewal meeting. Ghana has since been a UNIFIL leader in rates of female officers.
African women are among some of the most involved in global peacekeeping efforts: half of all female peacekeepers are African. Women peacekeepers are helpful in understanding the gendered nature of many political conflicts – for instance, UN female peacekeepers were instrumental in helping Darfurian women overcome gender-based difficulties. Female peacekeepers provide role models for young girls in conflict-ridden communities and can bring personal experience to conflict resolution, ensuring the interests of women are considered.
In addition, female peacekeepers are incredibly helpful in the highly practical field of full-body searches. Anticipating an absence of female staff, illicit organizations often use women to hide illegal goods, weaponizing cultural sensitivities that prevent men from searching women. The presence of female peacekeepers disrupts such attempts and can discourage the further exploitation of vulnerable women.
Cultural values also contribute to a greater sense of community among local women and female officers. In many conflict-affected regions, women are victims of sexual assault. Research shows that the presence of female peacekeepers increases the likelihood of reporting these crimes, potentially reducing their occurrence. Even in less severe cases, research still demonstrates that women are more comfortable confiding in women, highlighting the importance of gender parity in peacekeeping.
Towards An Inclusive Peace
True peace cannot be built through the exclusion of half the population. Symbolically, the delivery of body armor for Ghanaian female peacekeepers showcases the growing understanding that women must be at the forefront of anti-violence efforts.
Additional Sources:
African women on the frontline of peacekeeping | UN News
GAF receives $1m worth of female body armour from U.S. gov’t – MyJoyOnline
Country Fact Sheet | UN Women Data Hub
Women working for peace – the story of Ghanaian Battalion | UNIFIL
