Women Signals Officers from 15 TCCs/PCCs Empowered through UN Signals Academy Training

17 Mar 2017

Women Signals Officers from 15 TCCs/PCCs Empowered through UN Signals Academy Training

The United Nations Signals Academy Second Women’s Outreach Course Award Ceremony was held on 17 March 2017 at the Regional Service Center-Entebbe (RSCE), in Uganda. It was attended by programme participants, United Nations representatives, the Government of Uganda, and representatives from the diplomatic corps.
The Ceremony concluded a two-week training where 36 women military and signals personnel from 15 Troop and Police Contributing Countries were equipped to provide information and communications technology capacities to UN peacekeeping operations.
 
In her remarks, Ms. Safia Boly, Chief of the RSCE, praised the personal and professional journeys of the graduates who have broken glass ceilings and changed cultures through their continuous perseverance and commitment to learning.
Mr. Samuel Leal, UN Signals Academy Programme Manager, ICTD, thanked Member States for their support, particularly that from the Government of Japan as well as for their generous contribution. He expressed the hope of the Academy to see its graduates soon wearing the blue beret, serving under the UN flag. He stressed upon the continued collaboration with Member States to pursue this effort. 
 
Ms. Anna Mutavati, Deputy Representative for UN Women, highlighted the importance of making technological advancement a benefit and not a threat to women's economic empowerment, in line with Goal 5 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Ms. Rosa Malango, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, commended the generosity of the Government of Uganda as a host country, and expressed the hope to see graduates serve as peacekeepers with the same spirit of leaving no one behind.
 
Mr. Henry Oryem, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Uganda, emphasized Uganda’s contribution to UN peacekeeping operations, and reiterated the country’s strong commitment to promoting gender equality in the security sector and beyond.
 
Women’s Outreach Course graduate Ms. Amy Ng'ombe, from Zambia, stated: “It has been a very exciting and stimulating experience. The course has given me the unique opportunity to get real hands-on experience on UN-owned equipment, and also confidence and strength to strive for contributing to peacekeeping. I feel grateful for the exposure and broadening my perspective, and wish the training will continue inspiring future graduates”.
The next edition of the course is scheduled for June 2017.