The Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed an agreement to enhance the capacity of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) for training female peacekeepers.
The project agreement was signed on Thursday, March 20, at an event organized by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the Ministry of Finance. The agreement was signed by ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky on behalf of the Bangladesh government and Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh.
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Army Headquarters, Armed Forces Division (AFD), BIPSOT, ERD, the Ministry of Finance, the Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations (EIF), and UNOPS.
Highlighting the importance of gender equality and women’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions, the ERD Secretary emphasized that this initiative would play a crucial role in achieving those goals. He further stated that with UNOPS’ support, strengthening BIPSOT’s capacity would not only enhance female participation in peacekeeping but also reinforce Bangladesh’s commitment to global peace and security.
UNOPS Country Manager Sudhir Muralidharan noted that the project would include the construction of a dedicated accommodation facility for female trainees undergoing pre-deployment training for UN peacekeeping missions. This would provide a secure and well-equipped residential space for female peacekeepers during their training period. He added that empowering female peacekeepers paves the way for a more inclusive approach to peacebuilding, aligning with the UN’s broader goal of achieving lasting global peace.
The primary objective of the project is to construct a three-story (G+2) dormitory with necessary facilities to accommodate 60 female peacekeepers. This initiative not only supports gender equality in peacekeeping but also strengthens Bangladesh’s global contributions.
The project aligns with Bangladesh’s national and international commitments, including the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 10, 16, and 17. The project has been scheduled for a three-year duration, with a total estimated budget of $997,000.