Beyond the Frontline: Zambian Uniformed Women as Leaders and Champions of Peace

The article is co-authored by Corry Van Gaal, Head of Office at the Canadian High Commission to Zambia, and James Wakiaga (PhD), Resident Representative United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zambia.

August 6, 2025

Photograph of uniformed officers in green uniforms posing together on a street. — Zambia, ranked among the top global contributors to UN peacekeeping, is breaking barriers through the Elsie Initiative and UNDP partnerships by empowering women peacekeepers whose leadership is transforming missions, advancing gender equality, and strengthening lasting peace worldwide.

Photo by: Jabbes Banda/UNDP Zambia

Since 1948, over two million peacekeepers have served in 71 United Nations missions, guiding countries along the difficult journey from conflict to peace. Today, more than 76,000 peacekeepers from over 120 nations are deployed in 11 operations across the globe, bringing hope and stability to millions. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary work under harsh and dangerous conditions. Their courage should inspire every one of us to reflect on what it means to act for peace.

Among the nations committed to this global mission, Zambia stands tall. This year, the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions ranked Zambia among the top Troop and Police Contributing countries (TPCCs) of personnel to its missions. It’s a recognition that reflects our longstanding commitment to peace, dating back to 1989 when Zambia first deployed police officers to Namibia under the UN Transition Assistance Group. Since then, Zambian peacekeepers have served in some of the world’s most volatile regions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Darfur, Mali, Somalia, Lebanon, African Union/United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

As we reflect on the theme for the United Nations Peacekeepers Day, which fell on 29^th May 2025 - “Peace Begins with Me” we join the global community in celebrating a silent revolution: where women are rising to gain access to the battlefield and contribute to peace and security.

Too often, the contributions of women peacekeepers go unnoticed. Yet hundreds of Zambian women have stepped forward, leaving behind families and comfort—to help secure peace in places fractured by violence. Their presence has transformed peacekeeping from a military exercise into a more holistic mission—one that protects civilians, fosters reconciliation, and empowers communities.

Strategic Partnerships - Collaboration Between UNDP, ZPS, Canada and EIF

A person in a green uniform holds a stack of money, with others nearby. — Photo by: Jabbes Banda/UNDP Zambia

This year, through a powerful partnership among the Zambia Police Service (ZPS),UNDP, the Government of Canada, and the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF), Zambia is not only acknowledging these women—but actively investing in their growth. The Elsie Initiative for Women in Peacekeeping Operations is a bilateral partnership between Canada and Zambia, which supports the meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping operations and is one such effort, aiming to break down the barriers that have kept women on the sidelines. The project provides capacity-building opportunities, promotes leadership skills, and enables more women to step into roles historically dominated by men.

Through the Elsie Initiative, the Government of Canada is contributing to sustainable initiatives that are addressing systemic and deep-rooted barriers to women's empowerment in peace operations. This includes the development of the first-ever Zambia Police Service Gender Equality Workplace Policy.

Through EIF’s support, Zambia has received funding to create a more enabling environment for women peacekeepers. The Project is also facilitating the construction of accommodation for 40 women officers and a daycare to accommodate children under the age of 10. Further, the project is developing anti-sexual harassment policies. These initiatives are critical in ensuring that women have the tools and support they need to succeed in peacekeeping roles.

Five uniformed people in orange life jackets pose outdoors against a desert landscape.

Uniformed officer in green ceremonial attire with medals, blue beret, and lanyard in a hall.

Uniformed officer in a tan shirt with green beret and armband, standing outdoors near a wall with posters.

Women as Leaders – Stories from the Field

Through the deployment of over 900 uniformed officers, we have witnessed approximately 20 per cent of these being women. Even though they fulfil their duties with honour, dignity and inspiring stories, there is still a lot more that must be done to increase these figures.

Take, for example, Memory Neba, an Assistant Superintendent with 28 years of service in the Zambia Police Service, who brings her expertise to peacekeeping missions across the globe. Having worked in Liberia, where she sensitized communities on education and security, Memory's experience underscores how women peacekeepers contribute to both local and international stability. Her ability to connect with communities and address complex issues highlights the pivotal role women play in peace operations.

Lilian Lishomwa, a seasoned police officer with 22 years of service, further exemplifies the transformative power of women in peacekeeping. In South Sudan, she led an initiative to empower local women police officers by teaching them English and writing skills, thereby fostering an environment of self-reliance and empowerment. Lilian’s work not only helped build the capacity of South Sudanese women officers but also demonstrated how women peacekeepers can be instrumental in nurturing leadership in others.

These stories reflect a broader reality of what is experienced by women in uniform. These would not be possible without collaboration among the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Zambia Police Service (ZPS), Government of Canada and the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF), which plays a critical role in ensuring that more women are equipped to take on leadership roles and participate in peacekeeping missions. This partnership works to address the barriers that women face in joining peace operations, from providing training equipment and technical assistance to advocating for gender-transformative policies.

Canada's commitment to gender equality through the Elsie Initiative has been vital in helping more women become eligible for deployment. By addressing the barriers identified in the barrier assessment (Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) assessment), Canada has worked alongside UNDP and ZPS to enhance the capacity of women peacekeepers and increase their participation in global peacekeeping efforts.

Peace Begins with You

Women’s contributions to peacekeeping have made a meaningful impact. They enhance mission success, deliver essential services to communities and help lay the foundation for lasting peace. These achievements have been made possible through the collaborative efforts of partners like UNDP, the Zambia Police Service (ZPS), the Government of Canada and the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF), who are working to remove barriers and create opportunities for women to lead in peace operations.

As we reflect on the International Day of Peacekeepers, the message “Peace Begins with Me” serves as a powerful reminder: peace starts with each of us. It is not solely the responsibility of organisations or peacekeepers. Supporting women’s participation in peacekeeping, advocating for gender-equal policies, and being a peacebuilder in our communities are actions all of us—regardless of gender—can take.

We extend our appreciation to all our partners in peace, which include the Government of Zambia, police and other security institutions in Zambia, UN agencies, the Canadian Government through Bilaterial Elsie Initiative and humanitarian organizations, the local communities we serve, women, youth, media professionals and many others.

When we act together with intention, we contribute to a more peaceful world. Peace begins with me—and with you.

This joint Op-ed (UNDP and Office of the Canadian High Commission in Zambia) highlights the strategic technical and financial contributions from the Canadian Government, Elsie Initiative Fund and UNDP towards the meaningful participation of women in peace-keeping operations based on strong partnership with the Government of Zambia through the Zambia Police Service. It brings to the fore the importance of sustained investment in empowering women in peacekeeping operations.