In recent times, Rwanda has been at the forefront of gender equality on all fronts. That peacekeeping is no exception became clear for all to see as the country’s troops based in Malakal received UN medals for their service in the name of peace.

No less than 65 of the more than 800 recipients of the much yearned-for pieces of metal were women, a gender track record few troop contributing countries can match.

One of these female medalists is 40-year-old Lieutenant Chanate Mutagawa, a mother of three and an army nursing officer.

“I was inspired to become a nurse after there was a call for more women to join every government arm, including the military,” she says. “I was already a soldier but I wanted to do more because I knew I could.”

She anticipated some tough days in her first peacekeeping tour, but nothing prepared her for the Covid-19 pandemic which has kept medical personnel on high alert since last November.

“Our work as medical personnel involves ensuring that our troops are able to operate. A full outbreak in our battalion would have crippled our activities and endangered those we are here to serve and protect. We have had to focus even more on prevention than before,” she says.

Despite their best efforts, a few soldiers did contract the virus, but they have all fully recovered.

Lieutenant Mutagawa hasn’t stopped at performing her regular duties. Because she is a female nurse, she is often called upon to interview survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and other atrocities that women in the country are subjected to all too frequently.

She takes pride in being a role model for young girls and women, who watch her and her female colleagues execute their duties to perfection.

“As women we have so much to give to our communities, our countries and the world. We have the power to add our voices towards development, peace building and reconciliation,” she says with convincing conviction.

Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar, Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, was present as the precious medals were awarded, and he beamed with pride.

“Since your induction to South Sudan in 2019, your contribution has been outstanding. Here in Malakal you have significantly contributed to the protection of civilians by conducting patrols in far-flung areas like Maiwut, not to mention your protection of humanitarian workers in Maban.”

In Maiwut, their presence has calmed down a potentially volatile situation. In Bunj, Rwandan troops faced and successfully dealt with an extraordinarily severe flooding season, which saw their base and most of the town submerged and cut off for many weeks.

They have been busy in Malakal, too, managing to renovate one of the Covid-19 isolation wards at Teaching and Referral Hospital in town as part of the mission’s effort to help the country battle the pandemic.

For these and other accomplishments, the peacekeeping mission’s Force Commander commended the fine men and women receiving their medals.

“Wear them with pride, and keep being the great ambassadors for your country and the United Nations that you are.”