The event highlighted the invaluable contributions of women serving in peacekeeping missions and reinforced the hospital’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment
The India Level III Hospital in MONUSCO, located in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 with great enthusiasm under the leadership of Col Rajesh W Adhau, an official statement read.
The event highlighted the invaluable contributions of women serving in peacekeeping missions and reinforced the hospital’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
As per the statement, to mark the significant day, a special “Run for Equality and Empowerment” was organized, bringing together women peacekeepers and civilian personnel from diverse international contingents, including participants from Urugbatt, Senegal FPU, India, INRDB, MONUSCO Force Headquarters, and UN civilian staff. The participants demonstrated remarkable solidarity and commitment towards promoting equality, inclusivity, and empowerment within their communities and beyond.
The statement observed that distinguished guests gracing the celebrations included Vivian Van De Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Col Kamakhya Singh, Acting Commander and National Senior. Both dignitaries commended the vital role of women in peacekeeping, leadership, and humanitarian efforts globally.
The event successfully emphasized the importance of gender equity and further reinforced MONUSCO’s ongoing dedication to fostering an inclusive environment where the contributions and voices of women are consistently valued and respected. Earlier in February during the Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had highlighted the contributions of women in peacekeeping.
He said, “India has been at the forefront of deploying women in peacekeeping roles, both military and police. The first chapter of this journey began in the 1960s, when Indian women, as medical officers, were deployed in Congo. In 2007, India was the first to deploy an all-women Formed Police Unit in Liberia–a pioneering initiative that had an indelible impact on both the host community and the broader UN framework.”
“Over the years, this initiative empowered Liberian women, increasing their participation in security sectors. Today, India proudly continues this legacy, with over 150 women peacekeepers deployed across six critical missions, including those in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Western Sahara, and Abyei,” the EAM added.
Meanwhile, India will focus on doubling India-Africa trade by 2030 while also laying stress on more economic integration, government representatives said at the India Africa Business Conclave organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi.
“The sectors identified by African Continental Free Trade Area area, namely, automobiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and logistics, have huge potential for collaboration in terms of trade, investment, technology empowerment and capacity building between Africa and India,” said Sunil Barthwal, commerce secretary.
Barthwal noted that given the current growth and opportunity, the countries were well in line to double trade between the two regions to around $200 billion by 2030.
India-Africa trade had reached its highest level ever of around $100 billion in 2022-23, but dipped in the previous fiscal. “Trade is growing, but this number game is misleading. The binary relationship needs to be seen from a larger context. India-Africa economic integration is vital,” said Dammu Ravi, Secretary (economic relations), Ministry of External Affairs.
Ravi noted that time has come to set up Indian owned economic zones in Africa to become more invested in development in the region. “We have to see that we have more of Indian assembly plants and zones with Africa,” he pointed out.
On the other hand, Barthwal called for more collaboration in the field of agriculture. “Despite facing its own food security challenges, India has prioritised food security for African nations,” the commerce secretary noted. He also highlighted that India can share its experience in infrastructure development leveraging on the strengths of PM Gati Shakti masterplan. Barthwal called for greater participation on WTO issues as well.
“India and Africa are believed to emerge as twin growth centres, let us leverage our combined strengths,” Barthwal noted. India needs to look at trade from a deeper context of collaboration on global value chains, said Ravi, highlighting that Agenda 2063 should set broader context of partnership between the regions in days to come. Agenda 2063 is blueprint to achieve development of Africa over a 50-year period.
