Women in peacekeeping, a powerful asset for peace and security in West and Central Africa

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In the Western and Central African region alone, more than 750 UN Volunteers support the mandates of three major peacekeeping operations in Mali, DRC, and the Central African Republic, out of seven on the African continent. They work as part of the civilian component of missions, in the fields of protection, conflict prevention, rule of law and national capacity development. Almost 37 per cent of these volunteers are women delivering contributions that are key to peace.

Whether with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Missions in Mali (MINUSMA), the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), or the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSO), female UN Volunteers address the root causes of conflicts and evolving security challenges that impact the people.

Addressing gender issues in the COVID-19 context in Senegal

Lea Desgranges, UN Volunteer with UNDP
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Analyzing the gender dimensions of the impact of COVID-19 has become a priority in Senegal. Serving with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Lea Desgranges delivers results as a UN Volunteer Governance Programme Analyst. 

The Governance Unit of UNDP works with the Government of Senegal in the fight against corruption, territorial development and administrative modernization through digital transformation. With the COVID-19 outbreak, however, the unit has had to reorganize its activities to address governance issues stemming from the crisis.

Former UN Volunteer Staff Counsellor: I will always be a volunteer at heart

Elena Manina, Chief of the Staff Counselling and Welfare Unit, UNAMA
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Elena Manina (Russian Federation), is currently Chief of the Staff Counselling and Welfare Unit of the UN Assistance Mission In Afghanistan (UNAMA). She started her journey with the United Nations in 2007, serving as a UN Volunteer Staff Counsellor with the UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), then the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Today, she shares what her UN Volunteer experience has meant to her. 

I started my career in the UN System as a UN Volunteer from 2007 to 2013, serving in two UN missions. As a former UN Volunteer, I still have the foundation of volunteerism in my profession. I strongly believe that counselling and volunteerism are quite similar, as both help people to counter the effects of stress, anger and anxiety, as well as combat depression.

Creating a virtual space for UN Youth Volunteers to connect and learn

Niels Lohmann, Team Lead, Capacity Development
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For UN Volunteers, being able to connect with peers and learn from one another is essential. The sense of community, as well as access to information, onboarding support and professional development are important factors. Even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019, over 600 UN Volunteers took part in onsite trainings designed to build a community and grow the skills and competencies that are key to serving with the UN. From February onwards, COVID-19 restrictions made in-person workshops impossible. Hence, it was clear we wanted to create a virtual space to facilitate learning and enable exchange among volunteers.

UN Volunteers help deliver peace in Somalia during COVID-19

UNV partnering with UNSOS and UNSOM
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For several years, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme has supported the United Nations missions in Somalia in delivering peace and development.

Currently, 40 UN Volunteers are deployed with the UN Support Office for Somalia (UNSOS) and 12 UN Volunteers with the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). They serve from different locations in Somalia and Kenya. This is a significant increase over the years from 18 UN Volunteers in 2015.

With an average age of 42 years and a gender ratio of 30 per cent women, UNSOS is making significant progress towards achieving gender parity among UN Volunteers.

UN Volunteer in South Sudan: "I am passionate about human rights"

Okwa Morphy, UN Volunteer with UNMISS
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Combating misinformation in South Sudan during COVID-19

Caroline Hungwe, UN Volunteer with UNMISS
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Caroline Hungwe (Zimbabwe) is a UN Volunteer serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as a member of the Communications and Public Information Section. She shares how she is helping combat misinformation in South Sudan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My role in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is an interesting one. I lead the Media Relations Team for the mission’s Communications and Public Information section. My day begins bright and early at 5:45am, when I compile the day’s media monitoring report, highlighting key political, economic and social issues, both in South Sudan and internationally.

Three things to consider before volunteering

Olivier Adam and Ahmad Alhendawi
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As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, we are witnessing an unprecedented surge in the number of volunteers working to bring relief to communities in need. While volunteering itself isn’t new, finding the right fit and purpose is crucial in ensuring that we contribute positively to the causes we feel connected with.

Volunteering in the time of a global pandemic

According to a report by United Nations Volunteers, efforts of the more than 1 billion volunteers around the world are equal to that of 109 million full-time dedicated volunteers working around the world working to improve the lives and livelihoods of their fellow human beings.

National UN Volunteers upholding women's rights in Turkey

UNV partnering with UN Women
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National specialists volunteering with UN Women in Turkey have been active in designing and implementing campaigns, programmes and projects at the country and regional levels since 2019. The role of UN Volunteers in supporting women’s rights has become critical during the Coronavirus pandemic.

As frontline responders, health professionals and beyond, women are contributing to addressing the COVID-19 outbreak daily. Women are mainly responsible for household care and are at increased risk of infection and loss of livelihood. During the pandemic, they are often the victims of domestic violence, with limited access to sexual and reproductive health.

In response to the crisis, UN Women in Turkey is using the latest information to understand and address gender challenges during COVID-19. National UN Volunteers support UN women in diverse ways.

UN Volunteers in Bosnia and Herzegovina: delivering results for people in need of international protection

UNV partnering with UNHCR
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In Bosnia and Herzegovina, an estimated 9,500 migrants and refugees are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Development Assistance Framework 2015-2020. At the time of the COVID-19 outbreak, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) focused on the critical need to maintain essential services, while preventing the spread of COVID-19. The organization reports about new challenges its joint team took on, supported by UN Volunteers. 

UNHCR has benefitted from a number of international UN Volunteers over the years – they become an essential part of the team, bringing a wealth of fresh perspective and knowledge and positive energy. --Stephanie Woldenberg, Senior Protection Officer with UNHCR, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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