Syalu Maharana, a 33-year-old CRPF officer and mother, was deployed to Liberia in 2009 for the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. Facing a nation recovering from civil war, she served as Chief Operations Officer of an all-women police unit, contributing to the country’s stabilization. Maharana’s journey highlights women’s pivotal roles in international security efforts and the transformation of gender dynamics within peacekeeping.
Syalu Maharana, at age 33, balanced her role as a mother with her responsibilities as a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer when she received a call for her inaugural overseas deployment. Selected for the Indian contingent of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in 2009, she faced a challenging mission in a nation recovering from a devastating civil war.
Liberia had endured two civil wars that resulted in over 250,000 fatalities and millions displaced. Maharana embraced this challenge, knowing that only officers with at least ten years of service and demonstrated physical and mental stamina qualified for this role. As a law enforcement officer, the opportunity to aid in restoring peace and rebuilding Liberia was a pivotal moment in her career, despite the personal sacrifice of leaving her young child behind.
Reflecting on her time as Chief Operations Officer of the Fully Formed Female Police Unit (FFPU), Maharana, now 48, remarked on the profound cultural interaction, stating, “It was an eye-opening experience and a big cultural shock to interact with different nationalities.” Her unit empowered victims of ethnic violence and armed conflict during their year-long mission, contributing significantly to the nation’s transition toward peace under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s first female head of state.
India, pioneering the deployment of an all-women FFPU in Liberia, sent 125 women to assist in maintaining security during the transition following the civil war. Their presence helped bolster community trust, with Maharana noting, “The blue helmets of the UN were respected…we felt proud wearing the uniform.” The positive reputation of prior Indian contingents further eased interactions with the local population.
The UNMIL mission, operational from 2003 to 2018, allowed Maharana to achieve significant milestones post-Liberia. Her subsequent assignments included a unique position in Dantewada as the sole female officer among male colleagues, later leading one of six all-women battalions of the CRPF. This journey underscores the evolving role of women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
This narrative is part of Outlook’s Women’s Day special issue titled ‘Women at Work,’ illustrating the experiences of women in roles historically filled by men, and originally published as ‘To Liberia, With Peace.’
Syalu Maharana’s journey exemplifies the significant contributions of women in peacekeeping roles, particularly within international missions. Her experiences highlight the challenges faced as she balanced familial obligations with professional responsibilities while pioneering the role of female officers in peacekeeping efforts. As women continue to redefine their presence in security and societal roles, their impact remains profound and essential for global peace initiatives.
Original Source: www.outlookindia.com
