The 2024 United Nations Military Gender Advocate, Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme, has shared her personal experiences and insights on the broader significance of gender parity in peace support operations.
She spoke at an event organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and the Ghana Armed Forces in Accra on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
The award recognises the dedication and efforts of a military peacekeeper in promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and aims to enhance awareness and understanding of mainstreaming gender perspectives within UN peacekeeping missions.
Speaking at the event, Squadron Leader Syme reflected on her deployment to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in Sudan.
According to her, the experience was a defining and humbling moment in her career, as it provided an opportunity to engage in humanitarian work and human rights advocacy, including efforts to combat female genital mutilation.
Her commitment and dedication during her deployment in Sudan earned her global recognition—an honour she says she will forever cherish.
UN Women’s Senior Gender Specialist, Dr. Afua Ansre, commended Squadron Leader Syme on her achievement, stating that it perfectly embodies the core mission of UN Women.
“Her achievement stands as a testament to the fact that empowering women within peacekeeping leads to stronger teams, more inclusive peace processes, and a greater positive impact on communities,” she lauded.
Dr. Ansre described the event not just as a platform to celebrate an individual accomplishment, but also as an illustration of the tangible results that stem from advancing the ideals and objectives of the UN and UN Women.
“When women lead, participate in, and shape peace operations, it sends a powerful message: inclusive peacekeeping, as championed by the UN, is fundamental to building sustainable peace and achieving true gender parity.”
She added, “Her recognition is also a call for us to renew our efforts to break down the barriers women face in the security sector and to promote their sustained leadership.”
Dr. Ansre reaffirmed UN Women’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl has the opportunity to contribute to, influence, and benefit from peace and security initiatives—ultimately championing a world that genuinely leaves no one behind.
“Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme’s recognition as Military Gender Advocate of the Year is not merely a personal milestone but a testament to the transformative change that occurs when women are empowered to lead and contribute meaningfully to conflict resolution and peacebuilding,” she said.
“Her work with UNISFA demonstrates how the integration of gender perspectives strengthens teams, enhances mission outcomes, and leaves a lasting impact on the communities served,” she added.
For her part, the Chief Gender Policy Advisor at the Ghana Armed Forces, Captain Veronica Arhin, described the remarkable achievement as a moment that not only celebrates the excellence of one of Ghana’s own but also reaffirms the country’s unwavering commitment to gender equality in peacekeeping operations.
“We acknowledge Squadron Leader Syme, a Ghanaian officer who has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Military Gender Advocate Award for her outstanding contribution to gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping. Her dedication, courage, and skill have placed her on a global stage—highlighting what Ghana has long believed: that inclusion and diversity are fundamental pillars of effective leadership and conflict resolution,” she said.
She emphasised that this is the second time a Ghanaian officer has received this award, the first being in 2022, with Captain Ezra as the recipient.
“These achievements speak volumes and send a clear message that gender mainstreaming is not merely a checkbox exercise in the Ghana Armed Forces, but a steadfast commitment being translated into action,” she stated.
Captain Arhin announced that, in celebration of Squadron Leader Syme’s award, the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, together with the Military High Command, honoured her with a citation at Burma Camp on Wednesday.
“This gesture signifies that recognition of gender advocates should not only come from abroad, but must be proudly celebrated at home as well. These are moments that inspire future generations—especially young ladies—to envision themselves as leaders in spaces where their forebears were once excluded. As we celebrate Sharon today, let us remember that peace cannot be achieved, let alone sustained, where voices are silenced and perspectives excluded,” she charged.
UN Women champions the inclusion and empowerment of women within all aspects of peace and security and serves as an advocate for the Women’s Peace and Security agenda, ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated across the work they do with the United Nations and partners.
It also builds bridges between the UN, governments, the military, and civil society to drive policies and actions that foster gender equality in peacekeeping.
In addition, UN Women provides technical support and guidance to ensure its missions reflect the voices and needs of women and girls, especially in conflict and post-conflict contexts.
Source: Joseph Odotei
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