Syalu Maharana: Pioneering Female Peacekeeper in Liberia

Syalu Maharana, a CRPF officer, played a pivotal role in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia. Selected for her exceptional qualifications, she led the all-women Fully Formed Female Police Unit to ensure security and social order in a post-civil war Liberia. Her experiences reflect the critical contribution of women in peacekeeping and leadership roles.

Syalu Maharana, at 33 years of age, balanced her responsibilities as a mother while serving as an officer with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). She received a pivotal call for overseas deployment, being selected for the Indian contingent of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in 2009, a time when the country was recovering from devastating civil wars.

Maharana embraced the opportunity, understanding that only officers possessing ten years of service and meeting rigorous fitness standards were eligible for this mission. As a trained police officer committed to national security, she recognized the significance of joining an international effort to restore peace in a war-torn nation, albeit at the expense of leaving her three-year-old child behind.

Reflecting on her experience years later, Maharana, now 48, described her role as the Chief Operations Officer of the Fully Formed Female Police Unit (FFPU) as profoundly transformative. She acknowledged the cultural shock of engaging with different nationalities and emphasized the mission’s objective to support individuals affected by violence.

India has a substantial presence of female peacekeepers within the UN and was the pioneer in deploying an all-women FFPU unit in Liberia. This contingent of 125 women played a crucial role in facilitating Liberia’s transition towards sustained peace following its civil conflict. The UN had facilitated a transitional government under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first elected female president in Africa, who served from 2006 to 2018.

Despite Liberia’s ongoing ethnic unrest, the UN peacekeepers were entrusted with a variety of responsibilities including law enforcement, street patrolling, and training local police. Maharana highlighted the respect commanded by the UN peacekeepers, noting the pride felt by both the contingent and the Liberian populace.

Maharana underscored the significance of this mission, stating that even the President of Liberia sought protection from their unit, marking a notable achievement for the all-women contingent. Following her service in Liberia, she continued her career in challenging environments including Dantewada, Kashmir, and Ahmedabad, eventually rising to the rank of Commanding Officer and leading one of the CRPF’s six all-women battalions.

Syalu Maharana’s journey underscores the importance of female participation in peacekeeping missions. Her experiences illustrate the challenges and achievements faced by women in traditionally male-dominated roles, highlighting their capacity to restore peace and security. As a pioneer within the U.N. peacekeeping efforts, Maharana has contributed significantly to empowering communities affected by conflict and represents a strong example of leadership in the pursuit of global peace.

Original Source: www.outlookindia.com