Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana has been named the United Nations 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year in recognition of her exceptional commitment in promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls during her tour of duty with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Since her deployment in 2024 as the Mission’s Military Gender Adviser, Squadron Leader Syme’s work has directly impacted local communities, ensuring the voices and needs of women and girls are integrated into security and peacebuilding initiatives.
According to the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix “Squadron Leader Syme exemplifies the principles of gender advocacy in peacekeeping,” He added that Squadron Leader Syme’s “dedication has not only improved the effectiveness of UNISFA’s operations but also ensured that the mission is more reflective of and responsive to the communities it serves.”
In a press release issued by the United Nations, the award will be presented to Squadron Leader Syme during a special ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The press release also named Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone as the Woman Police Officer of the Year for her innovative community engagement initiatives that helped strengthen relations between host communities and the mission while establishing new crime reporting channels in Abyei, where there is no functional police service.
UNIC