Nepalese police officers have been recognized for their dedication and service to the people of South Sudan with the awarding of the United Nations Medal during a special ceremony in Juba.

A total of 345 peacekeepers from three units working across South Sudan joined senior officials on a sunny afternoon for a ceremony filled with song and dance to celebrate their contribution to protecting civilians and building peace in the world’s youngest nation.

“Wear your medals with pride because they not only recognize your value but are also a tribute to your entire country and families,” said the guest of honor, Police Advisor Commissioner Luis Carrilho.

Among the awardees was Inspector Dr. Drishti Poudel, a medical doctor who has been stationed in Juba at the peacekeeping mission’s clinic since January.

“It’s great to be a female police officer,” she said. “We are privileged actually because we are few and feel proud to be among the other female police officers representing our country.”

Dr. Poudel is one of 28 females currently serving with Nepalese uniformed police in South Sudan, a number that is steadily growing which the contingent says is a cause for celebration in itself. 

“I am proud to say that within the next coming rotations, the number of females will increase to 20 per cent of the total strength of uniformed officers,” said Inspector General of Nepalese Armed Police Forces Shailendra Khanal.  “We appreciate the efforts of our women, especially in light of the growing complexity of conflict dynamics.”

The commitment to increasing female participation in peacekeeping is part of the UN’s Action for Peacekeeping initiative.

With a little less than two months to go, Dr. Poudel will soon be wrapping up her time in South Sudan but she would like to continue working in peacekeeping missions in the future.

“When I was in medical school, I never thought I would join the military as a doctor, but it is such a pleasure to be here and I hope I have the opportunity to come back,” said.  

Nepal deployed its first uniformed police unit of 120 officers to serve with the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia in 2003.  Since then, 6,903 officers have served in the country’s uniformed police units and 814 as individual police officers.   

In 2014, the first uniformed police unit was deployed to the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, where they have been working to provide a secure environment for displaced people living in UN protection camps.