With their new specialized personal protective equipment, Zambian women peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) are now able to carry out their mandated tasks more safely and comfortably.
The Women’s Body Armor Quadrilateral Pilot Project, launched in 2023 by the United States, the Netherlands, Ghana and Zambia, is a USD 3 million initiative testing properly fitting body armor for women peacekeepers. The project aims to improve safety and operational effectiveness by addressing gaps in the availability of appropriately designed protective equipment for women deployed in United Nations peace operations.
Major Sifa Makalaluka and Sergeant Esther Kalumbi, both serving with MINUSCA, say the new body armor is helping women peacekeepers carry out their duties more safely and effectively in the field.
“The jackets that we used to wear before were not designed to fit the anatomy of a woman. You find that protecting the vital organs was proving to be difficult,” explained Major Makalaluka.
The new fitted body armor is designed to conform to the female body, with space to accommodate the chest area, cushioning around the waist and shoulder pads, as well as additional pockets for personal items. It is also designed to enhance safety, including ease of removal in case of distress.
“The male body armor had different weight distribution at the back and the front, which made it very bulky and difficult to maneuver when carrying out our tasks,” said Sergeant Kalumbi.
The initiative stems from commitments made at the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial in Accra in December 2023, where Ghana, Zambia, the Netherlands and the United States endorsed the Women’s Body Armor Quadrilateral Pilot Project Statement of Intent. The project reflects broader efforts by Member States and the United Nations to strengthen the participation, safety and leadership of women in peacekeeping.
Zambia remains one of the top contributors of uniformed personnel to UN peace operations, with women peacekeepers playing an increasingly important role in advancing protection, community engagement and mission effectiveness.
These efforts are supported by ongoing partnerships between Member States and United Nations entities, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as initiatives such as the Elsie Initiative Fund, which aim to promote women’s full participation in peace operations and strengthen gender equality in security institutions.
Ahead of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, the initiative highlights continued commitments to improving the safety and performance of women serving in complex operational environments.
Women peacekeepers continue to play a vital role in advancing peace, security and stability in some of the most challenging environments, while strengthening engagement with local communities and supporting the implementation of mission mandates.
As the United Nations underscores the importance of investing in peace, the initiative also highlights the need for sustained support to strengthen the safety and effectiveness of peacekeepers, women and men alike, who face real risks in the line of duty as they carry out their mandates in the service of peace.
