Women Peacekeepers Take Center Stage at Moldova’s Peacekeepers Day

In a time when global peace is increasingly challenged, the contribution of women peacekeepers is often overlooked. To spotlight their dedication and courage, on May 29, UN Women Moldova together with the Ministry of Defense marked the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers by celebrating the remarkable stories of uniformed women peacekeepers — those who serve not only their country, but the cause of international peace and security.

The event featured first-hand testimonies and open discussions between peacekeepers, diplomats, and journalists. It provided a platform for women to share their experiences from the frontlines and to advocate for a more inclusive and gender-equal security sector.

Sergiu Plop, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, opened the event by speaking directly to the women peacekeepers in the audience. He said:

“You have paved the way for future national contributions to such missions. We are well aware of your activity and involvement in these missions, and I want to affirm that you have fulfilled your duties with dignity and honor — all the highest words of praise apply in your case. On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, I want to thank you sincerely.”

Highlighting the barriers that persist for women peacekeepers, H.E. Søren Jensen, Ambassador of Denmark to the Republic of Moldova, said:

“While there has been some significant progress in promoting inclusion and equal access to opportunities in Moldova, there are still barriers that hinder women's full participation in both operational roles and decision-making processes. To address these challenges, much more work is needed to dismantle unfortunate structures and create pathways for more women to enter the security sector.”

H.E. Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova, said:

“Sweden stands firm in its support to the women, peace and security agenda, and continues to add to opportunities, amplifying women’s voices and supporting their leadership in peacekeeping efforts.” 
She also emphasized the need for collaboration, saying: 
“Representation matters, but so does recognition. Let’s work together with defense institutions, civil society and media to ensure women's contributions are seen, heard and valued.”

Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative, spoke about the underrepresentation of women in peacekeeping, saying:

“Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in peacekeeping efforts. In 2022, only 7.9% of UN peacekeepers were women. However, evidence shows that when women lead in the field of security, peace follows. The meaningful participation of women in peace processes is essential for supporting economic revitalization, recovery, and post-conflict reconstruction. At UN Women, we strongly believe that involving women in security and peace processes is not just a right — it's a necessity for a safer and more equitable world.”

Major Stela Alexandrov, peacekeeper to UNMISS who has returned from a mission in South Sudan, spoke about women’s participation in peacekeeping, saying:

“I believe that the increased participation of women in UN peacekeeping operations and missions contributes significantly to building trust between the local population and peacekeeping forces, thereby greatly enhancing the mission’s legitimacy, credibility, and mandate implementation. The presence of women is essential for identifying the issues and needs of women and children in any conflict around the world. Participating in a UN peacekeeping mission by representing one’s country is an incredible opportunity, a great honor, and a tremendous responsibility to take part in many challenges.”

Major Ludmila Saulova, peacekeeper to MINUSCA in the Central African Republic, shared an instance of when her being a woman peacekeeper helped her make a difference:

“I remember a case from one of our very first patrols. I noticed a boy who seemed withdrawn, and I tried to ask him what happened. At first, he didn’t want to say much, but I tried to interact with the children. In the Central African Republic, which is a former French colony, they speak Sango and French. So, I used all the French I had learned in school to communicate with him. The boy told me that he had been kidnapped by an armed group and held for — I'm not sure — five days or maybe longer. I later learned that he recovered and returned to school, and I am very proud that I was able to help him.”

Women in Moldova’s Security Sector: Progress, Gaps & Impact

In the Republic of Moldova, significant progress has been achieved in advancing women’s meaningful participation in the security and peacemaking processes, but they remain largely under-represented, particularly in leadership and operational roles.

On average, the share of women employed across the Ministry of Internal Affairs increased from 19.56% to 26.44% during the years 2018–2024, while the proportion of women in the army increased from 19.7% to 21% during the same period. In the Moldovan military, 37% of the women hold command roles, but only 2% occupy decision-making positions. When it comes to top leadership roles, women are completely absent.

Meanwhile, studies show that peace agreements with women signatories have higher rates of implementation and last longer. In some cases, women are also better-suited to carry out peacekeeping tasks, such as assisting survivors of gender-based violence and building trust with the local community. Female peacekeepers act as role models in the local environment, inspiring, by their very example, women and girls in the often male-dominated societies where they serve.

Women’s unique perspectives and approaches contribute to more inclusive and effective peace processes. By recognizing and amplifying their efforts, we move closer to building peace that is not only sustainable, but also truly representative of the communities it aims to serve. When women are empowered to lead in peace and security, societies become safer, stronger, and more just.

Explore the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and Moldova’s Peacekeeping Missions

Read more about UN Women’s efforts in advancing women’s meaningful participation in the security and defense sectors here. Read more about the Moldova’s participation in Peacekeeping missions at the Ministry of Defense here.

This event was organized by UN Women in partnership with the Ministry of Defense, with support from Sweden and through the project "Women’s Increased Leadership for Resilient and Peaceful Societies" funded by Denmark.