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The Womenβs Military Peace Operations Course (WMPOC) is a transformative three-week programme designed to strengthen the capacity of military women for effective participation in United Nations peace operations. Bringing together 22 women military officers from Austria, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia, the course provides a dynamic platform for learning, collaboration, and professional growth.
Focused on enhancing leadership, operational readiness, and mission effectiveness, WMPOC equips participants with critical skills required to navigate complex peacekeeping environments. Beyond technical training, the course builds confidence, resilience, and the ability to take on strategic and leadership roles in peace operations.
Sponsored by the United Kingdom, Austria, and Finland, the course reflects strong international commitment to advancing inclusive peacekeeping. Speaking during the opening, the Commandant HPSS, Brigadier C K Mundui, emphasized that empowering women in uniform is key to strengthening the effectiveness and responsiveness of modern peace operations.
In her remarks, the Chief Guest, UN Women Country Representative, Kenya, Antonia NβGabala, underscored the importance of strong partnerships and sustained investment in advancing gender equality in peace operations. She emphasized that initiatives such as WMPOC are critical in building a pipeline of skilled and confident women leaders, ensuring their meaningful participation and influence in shaping global peace and security outcomes.
WMPOC continues to make a lasting impact by expanding the pool of trained women military officers, enhancing mission effectiveness, and paving the way for greater representation of women in leadership roles within peace operations.
The programme is sponsored by the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme Kenya, reflecting a strong partnership and shared commitment to advancing the role of women in peacekeeping. The support underscores the importance of empowering female soldiers and fostering inclusive approaches that contribute to sustainable peace and security.
During the opening ceremony, the Deputy Commandant HPSS Colonel E Kinyua noted that the course strengthens the understanding of the important role female soldiers play in peace support operations. He also highlighted that the training provides a valuable opportunity for participants to network, share experiences and build professional relationships that will support future collaboration in peace missions.
In response to this call, the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), through a Curriculum Writing Board (CWB) convened in April 2025, developed the Women Military Officers in Peace Support Operations Course (WMOC). The course is designed to equip participants with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective and meaningful participation in the implementation of peace operations mandates.
The current WMOC brings together 20 female military officers from Kenya and Ghana. The programme aims to strengthen their leadership capabilities, enhance their understanding of cross-cutting issues in PSO, and prepare them to effectively perform in complex peace operations environments.The two-week course is sponsored by the Government of Canada, reflecting its continued commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting capacity-building initiatives in peace operations. During the opening ceremony, the Canadian Defence AttachΓ© to Kenya, Colonel Todd Braithwaite, encouraged participants to actively engage, share experiences, and build professional networks to maximize the benefits of the training.
Speaking at the same event, the Commandant Peace and Conflict Studies School (PCSS), Colonel Emma Ngigi, expressed appreciation to the Government of Canada for its continued support. βThe contemporary peace and security environment continues to evolve, and peace operations today require highly skilled, adaptable and professional personnel. The integration of gender perspectives and the increased participation of women in peace operations are now widely recognized as essential elements in achieving sustainable peace,β she emphasized.
The WMOC continues to serve as a forum for empowering women military officers, ultimately contributing to more inclusive, effective, and responsive peace operations.
