Women in Peacekeeping: Captain Parascovia Vacaru on progress and challenges 25 years after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), a landmark document that transformed how the world recognizes women’s roles in peace and security. Unanimously adopted on 31 October 2000, the resolution acknowledged the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and called for their full, equal and meaningful participation in conflict prevention, peace processes and post-conflict recovery.

Since 2018, the Republic of Moldova has been implementing the WPS Agenda through two consecutive National Action Plans, strengthening women’s participation in the security and defense sectors as well as in peacebuilding processes. These efforts have been supported by reforms promoting equal opportunities, merit-based career advancement, and fairer conditions for women in uniform.

Today, women comprise more than 21 per cent of the Moldovan National Army’s personnel, exceeding the average of 13 per cent registered across Western armed forces. Among them, 37 per cent hold command positions, although only 2 per cent currently serve in senior decision-making roles.

Progress has also been reflected in international monitoring. In 2025, Moldova ranked 36th in the global Women, Peace and Security Index, climbing 17 places compared to the previous assessment. This tangible advancement reflects the country’s consistent efforts to advance gender equality and equal opportunities, including within the security and defense sectors.

A military career built on discipline and purpose

Among the women contributing to these transformations is Captain Parascovia Vacaru, an officer at the Alexandru cel Bun Military Academy of the Armed Forces. Originally from a suburb of Chișinău, she discovered her passion for the military as a teenager.

“I chose this profession because I was attracted to discipline, order and team spirit. The army shapes you and it gives you direction and purpose,” she says.

After graduating from high school, she enrolled at the Military Academy, specializing in Artillery and Public Administration. She was one of the few women in her cohort, pursuing a career in an environment once perceived as exclusively male.

“The greatest challenge was being away from my family and adapting to a completely different world than civilian life. But I learned to turn every difficulty into motivation,” Captain Vacaru reflects.

From platoon leader to international peacekeeping missions

Upon graduation in 2018, she was assigned to the Ștefan cel Mare 2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade, where she served as a platoon leader. Two years later, she transitioned to the Military Academy, and since 2021 she has led the Equipment Unit.

A turning point in her career came in 2024, when she deployed to Kosovo on a NATO-led international peacekeeping mission. For six months, Captain Vacaru was part of the Moldovan contingent, conducting patrols in high-risk areas and protecting strategic sites.

At home, her husband eagerly awaited her return. A civilian, he has always held deep respect for the military profession. Reflecting on their time apart, Captain Vacaru says, “Even though I was away for half a year, we stayed connected. Communication and trust are essential… just like in any team.”

The mission, she recalls, was intense – both professionally and emotionally.

“I worked alongside servicewomen and servicemen from other countries and led a team of men. On a mission, it doesn’t matter if you are a woman or a man,” she explains. “The tasks and the risks are the same. We were treated as equals.”

Beyond operational duties, the mission offered lessons in humanity. “Local communities welcomed us with warmth. Sometimes they would offer us coffee or sweets, simply out of respect for the uniform. And the presence of women soldiers often brought a sense of trust and reassurance.”

Women’s leadership shaping a more inclusive security sector

The progress achieved by the Republic of Moldova in advancing the WPS Agenda is driven by institutional reforms and the leadership of women like Captain Vacaru.

Recent years have seen new measures supporting gender equality in the armed forces, including the introduction of paternity leave and the counting of childcare leave as active service time. Efforts are ongoing to tailor military uniforms to women’s needs and ensure infrastructure development considers the requirements of both women and men. Differentiated physical standards have also been introduced to improve women’s promotion rates.

With support from UN Women, security institutions have adopted internal policies to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, ensuring a safer work environment for all personnel.

UN Women also supported the establishment and growth of women’s associations within the army, police and prosecution service – key forces in shifting institutional culture and strengthening women’s leadership in the security sector. Yet, challenges like gender stereotypes, inadequate infrastructure and restrictive policies persist, according to the study Status of Women in the Security and Defense Sector: Between Stability and Transformation.

“In 2012, we had only the first intake of women at the Academy, but today, we have dozens of female cadets. We now have women platoon commanders and even company commanders. It is a real transformation, proof that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with men,” says Captain Vacaru proudly.

According to Military Academy data, the Military College enrolled 13 female cadets in 2024, and that number rose to 23 in 2025.

Looking ahead, she hopes to help shape a new generation of women leaders in uniform. “Anyone who chooses this profession must have determination and a dream,” she says. “Turn the dream into ambition, ambition into purpose, and purpose into achievement.”

The story of Captain Vacaru embodies the spirit of Resolution 1325: women are not only beneficiaries of peace but also leaders in building and safeguarding it. Twenty-five years after the resolution’s adoption, the Republic of Moldova continues to demonstrate that with women’s leadership and strong partnerships, peace becomes more inclusive and sustainable for all.