Note to Correspondents

PHOTO EXHIBIT TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF United Nations PEACEKEEPERS

 

In observance of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, a multimedia exhibit entitled "Women in Peacekeeping:  The Power to Empower" will open with a formal ceremony on Friday, 29 May, at 2 p.m. in the South Gallery of the Visitors Lobby.

Statements at the opening will be made by Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, and Alain Le Roy, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.

This year, the United Nations is marking the Day with special emphasis on the important role played by women peacekeepers and the need to deploy them in greater numbers.  The photos in this exhibit show women serving as peacekeepers in the military, police and civilian sectors in 16 peacekeeping operations around the world.

In 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted its landmark resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.  For the first time in an omnibus resolution, the Council recognized that women bear the brunt of armed conflicts, and should have a commensurate role in their prevention and resolution.

In his message to mark the Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said:  "There are still far too few women peacekeepers.  With women joining national militaries and police in greater numbers, it is critical that Member States contribute even more female personnel to the United Nations.  On this International Day, let us draw on the power of women to strengthen UN peacekeeping while helping women and girls themselves to transform their destinies -- and societies -- for the better."

This exhibit is co-sponsored by the Departments of Public Information, Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support.

For more information on United Nations exhibitions, call Jan Arnesen at (212) 963-8531, Liza Wichmann at (212) 963-0089; e-mail at arnesen@un.org or wichmann@un.org.

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For information media • not an official record