Award-winning Ghanaian peacekeeper urges young African women to choose career in military.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (left) presents the 2022 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Captain Cecilia Erzuah from Ghana who served with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

Captain Cecilia Erzuah, an accomplished Ghanaian peacekeeper with the United Nations, has an inspiring message for young African women: "Gone are the days when women were pushed to the background. Join the armed forces in your country and prove that women are just as capable as men."

In recognition of her outstanding efforts in promoting gender equality within peacekeeping operations, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, today presented Capt. Erzuah with the prestigious United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2022.

Her work has set a high standard for ensuring that the needs and concerns of women are represented across all peacekeeping endeavors, said Mr. Guterres, maintaining that, 'Resolution 1325 reminds us that our women peacekeepers are not only supporting global peace and security, they are leading the way. By every measure, Capt. Cecilia Erzuah of Ghana is one of those leaders.'

This recognition boosts my morale and motivates me to persist in my efforts [in gender equality]. It is a privilege for me to have been selected. It reaffirms my belief in the importance of hard work and dedication to duty

Resolution 1325 is a landmark resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in 2000 and reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.

Ghanaian peacekeeper wins UN Military Gender Advocate 2022

Capt. Erzuah, 32, recently completed her peacekeeping duties with the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA), where she distinguished herself by actively promoting gender equality within her unit and fostering positive relationships with local communities.

Prior to that, in 2019, she served as a peacekeeper and personnel records officer with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

In an interview with Africa Renewal in New York, shortly before accepting the award, Capt. Erzuah said her commitment to gender advocacy stems from her upbringing in a nurturing environment.

Reflecting on her childhood, she stated: "In my...