The UN Department of Peace Operations has named Chief Inspector Doreen Malambo of Zambia as the 2020 UN Woman Police Officer of the Year.

Malambo, Development Diaries understands, is currently serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The UN department announced in a statement that Malambo, as a gender advisor with UNFA in Juba, South Sudan, helped to establish the ‘Stand Up for Rights of Women and Girls’ initiative.

It was gathered that Malambo created a network of groups led by male local police officers to engage other men in the community to disseminate information and promote the protection and advancement of the rights of women and girls.

Malambo also contributed to UNMISS’ efforts to disseminate information on Covid-19 prevention to vulnerable communities, including those with disabilities, according to the statement.

‘Greater women’s participation in peacekeeping sends a strong message to our host populations’, said UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

‘This message is amplified when women police officers like Chief Inspector Malambo take the lead to empower and protect others, even more so in a pandemic context’.

‘Through both her ideas and actions Doreen Malambo exemplifies the best of United Nations policing’.

In her reaction to the award, Malambo said, ‘Knowing that I am making a difference by working to empower women and promote their active inclusion and participation in society motivates me.

‘Women’s empowerment is the key to increasing the visibility of interests, concerns, needs and contributions of women as we advance the women, peace and security agenda’.

Source: United Nations African Renewal

Photo source: UNMISS