Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called on the United Nations to recruit more Bangladeshi women for peacekeeping missions, emphasizing the importance of gender inclusivity in global peace efforts.
On Sunday, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix met with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at Jamuna, where the two discussed Bangladesh’s continued contribution to UN peacekeeping efforts.
During the meeting, Dr. Yunus stressed the need for increased female participation from Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping missions. “One thing I strongly encourage is the inclusion of more Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping operations,” he stated.
Bangladesh is consistently ranked among the top three troop- and police-contributing countries (T/PCCs), with 5,677 personnel deployed across 10 out of 11 active missions.
Mr. Lacroix echoed the UN’s commitment to greater female representation in peacekeeping. “We do not want to confine women to specific roles,” he said, underlining the organization’s push for broader gender integration.
The Chief Adviser also raised concerns over the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, cross-border gunfire, civilian casualties, and disrupted livelihoods near the Naf River — the natural boundary between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Recalling UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ recent visit to the Rohingya camps in southeastern Bangladesh, Dr. Yunus said the trip renewed hope for the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
LND/BG
