More Women Deployed To United Nations Missions

The latest deployment of three women Police officers for a tour of duty with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan(UNMISS) has meant the Fiji Police Force has almost doubled its quota of the number of women officers to serve under the UN banner.

The Fiji Police Force is expected to meet a threshold of 20 percent of the number of women Police officers to serve under the UN mission banner.

Following this latest deployment, close to 40 percent of the officers currently on missions are women.

W/Sgt Makitala Masira, W/PC Sainimere Tagayawa, WPC Shiwani Sital and male Police Constable Tevita Gave left Fiji at the weekend.

The Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho emphasized the importance of upholding professionalism at all times.

“The opportunity to serve under the United Nations banner is one sought after by many of your comrades and with an increasing demand for more women officers we are hoping to send more women as new UN mission areas open up,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.

“Fijian officers continue to be regarded highly for their roles as trusted and friendly peacekeepers.

“It’s a reputation that we need to maintain for the sake of your comrades as all reports of ill-discipline will not only reflect negatively on the institution but the nation”.

At present 12 of the 27 police officers serving under UNMISS, UNAMID and with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces- sanctioned mission, while two senior women officers are on secondment with UNMISS.

The four officers departed from Fiji on Saturday.