BERLIN, May 15 — In a proud moment that speaks volumes about Malaysia’s commitment to peace and gender equality, the country has been awarded for its outstanding role in promoting women’s participation in international peacekeeping missions.
The recognition was presented at the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 forum held in Berlin, celebrating nations that have successfully integrated women into peace operations — a vital step toward global peace and security.
The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) received this honour for its continuous efforts, especially through the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), where women peacekeepers have been deployed in significant numbers. Malaysia not only met but proudly upheld the standards of the UN’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy (UGPS), with women making up 10.5% of Malbatt’s total deployment.
But the efforts don’t stop there. Malaysian women have also taken on vital roles as military observers and staff members in other challenging missions such as the UN operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monusco), Western Sahara (Minurso), and the Abyei region (Unisfa). Their courage, resilience, and dedication are making a difference where it matters most.
“This award is a tribute to the brave and capable Malaysian women who step into conflict zones not just as soldiers, but as symbols of hope, peace, and equality,” said the MAF in a heartfelt statement. “It’s a reflection of Malaysia’s unwavering support for the global Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.”
Receiving the award on behalf of the country were MAF Headquarters Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Datuk Azhan Md Othman and Colonel Shamsuri Noordin, Malaysia’s military adviser to the UN.
Also honoured at the ceremony were Fiji, Guatemala, Kenya, Malawi, Mongolia, and Tanzania — nations that, like Malaysia, believe in the power of women to shape a more peaceful world.
Just a day earlier, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin reaffirmed Malaysia’s steadfast commitment to championing the WPS agenda, ensuring that the nation’s peacekeeping missions continue to reflect inclusivity, strength, and hope.
