“Ghana’s Squadron Leader Sharon Syme Wins UN’s 2024 Military Gender Advocate Award”

“Ghana’s Squadron Leader Sharon Syme Wins UN’s 2024 Military Gender Advocate Award”

Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme, a Ghanaian peacekeeper, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her outstanding leadership in advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls. Syme, who served as the Mission’s Military Gender Adviser in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), ensured that the voices of women and girls were meaningfully included in local security and peacebuilding efforts.

Syme’s achievement is a testament to the Ghana Armed Forces’ commitment to gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women in peacekeeping operations. Her work in Abyei involved leading health-focused outreach campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices, such as child marriage. She also strengthened the gender responsiveness of UNISFA’s military components by organizing mixed-gender patrols and conducting gender training.

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has been a strong advocate for women’s peace and security agenda, ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated across its work. UN Women serves as the fund manager for the Elsie Initiative Fund, designed to increase the meaningful participation of uniformed women in peace operations. The organization has collaborated with the Ghana Armed Forces on several programs to promote gender equality and women’s representation in peace operations.

Ghana has made significant strides in promoting gender inclusion, not only in peacekeeping but also in its laws and policies. The recent advancement of the Affirmative Action Gender Equality Act (Act 1121) seeks to ensure 50% representation of women in decision-making roles by 2030. The launch of the Gender Equality Committee by the Honorable Minister marks a crucial step towards implementing the Act and embedding equality within governance structures.

The recognition of Squadron Leader Syme’s achievement serves as a moment to renew efforts to break down barriers facing women in the security sector and promote their sustained leadership. Her award highlights the importance of inclusive peace operations and the positive impact that women can have in peacekeeping and leadership roles.

By celebrating Syme’s achievement, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to drive influence and benefit from peace and security efforts. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for inclusive leadership and a testament to Ghana’s growing dedication to embedding equality within its governance structures.

Story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun online