The United Nations‘ first all-female peacekeeping force made up of 105 Indian policewomen has arrived in Liberia.
They would carry out security duties in forthcoming local elections.
The unit is made up volunteers drawn from across India and is experienced in battling insurgencies in Kashmir and the northeast.
India has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions for decades and has sent women as part of earlier contingents, too. However, this is the first all-female peacekeeping team and participants have said it would have unique advantages in conflict zones.
The UN currently has 15,000 peace keepers deployed in Liberia, which is struggling to recover after a 14-year civil war.
UN police advisor Mark Kroeker, who has served with the Los Angeles Police Department for more than 30 years, says the presence of women in UN missions enhances their access to vulnerable populations.
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