The Bangladesh police force is sending a contingent of 160 female police officers to Haiti on a foreign UN peacekeeping mission for the first time. The contingent will principally provide humanitarian aid and community policing; however, the peacekeepers will also provide primary education, primary healthcare, protection on violence against women, prevention of HIV, and AIDS training. 

Nur Mohammed, Bangladesh police chief, praised the act of sending women to the mission.  “This is the first time that a women's unit is being sent to the UN peacekeeping mission. We think that it is a breakthrough for our country."

Members of the contingent also voiced their approval of the Bangladesh government and police force’s choice to send a women’s unit to Haiti.  “This step of the government and Bangladesh police in upholding the women's development is commendable and timely," Ms. Sultana, a member of the contingent, stated. "I am thrilled to bits that I am going to Haiti for peacekeeping activities in the UN mission.”

Bangladesh first participated in a foreign UN peacekeeping mission in 1989 when Bangladeshi police officers were sent to Namibia.  Since then, Bangladeshi police have developed a global reputation based on their level of professionalism. This reputation has resulted in the United Nations' high demand for Bangladeshi officers on peacekeeping missions. Since 1989, Bangladesh has sent 6,369 officers to the UN peacekeeping mission.

Compiled from: Bangladesh Deploys Female UN Peacekeepers, BBC News (12 May 2010); Bangladesh to send female police officers on Haiti peacekeeping mission, UN Wire (14 May 2010).