Squadron Leader Syme commended for advancing gender equality

The United Nations (UN) in Ghana has commended Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of the Ghana Armed Forces for her outstanding contribution to advancing gender equality and inclusion in peacekeeping operations.

At a press briefing organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Accra last ­­­ Thursday, Squadron Leader Syme was recognised for her role as a Gender Advisor during a 2024 peacekeeping mission following her 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.

Her work focused on promoting the rights of women and girls, mainstreaming gender across sectors, and strengthening protection systems within mission areas.

The session formed part of broader efforts by the UN to spotlight the impact of Ghanaian women in global peace operations and encourage more female participation in the sector.

Sharing her experience, Squadron Leader Syme described her deployment as both challenging and fulfilling. She stressed the need for gender advisors to understand mission structures, work closely with military, police, and civilians, and foster collaboration across departments.

“We have to be proactive in engaging key players, sometimes even creating structures where none exist,” she said, adding, “The aim is to improve protection systems, integrate gender into policies, and ensure reporting and follow-up mechanisms work, especially for women and girls.”

Gender advisors

She added that gender advisors were also responsible for identifying and supporting local women’s groups, building partnerships, and reporting on human rights violations within their mission jurisdictions.

“I worked closely with women-led organisations in our area of responsibility to amplify their voices and connect them with international resources. It was about more than fulfilling a role — it was about making a difference in people’s lives,” she said.

In her remarks, the UN Women Senior Gender Specialist, Afua Ansere, said Squadron Leader Syme’s dedication exemplified the type of leadership needed to drive the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

“Peacekeeping today is not just about boots on the ground. It’s about strategy, sensitivity and inclusion. Officers like Squadron Leader Syme are helping redefine what peacekeeping can achieve,” she noted.

Ms Ansere added that the UN in Ghana, together with UN Women, remained committed to working with the Ghana Armed Forces and other stakeholders to increase the representation and visibility of women in peacekeeping, policy and governance.

Captain (Ghana Navy) Veronica Adzo Arhin, acting Director General, Public Relations, Ghana Armed Forces, described her own journey as a female officer in a male-dominated space.

She emphasised that though the challenges were numerous, they had served as a motivation for growth.

“The military pushes you to develop.

We undergo regular training, both online and in person, to sharpen our skills.

When I was assigned as Gender Advisor, I had to seek help from the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre and completed online courses to adequately prepare,” she explained.

Captain Arhin said that while the position was intense and demanded constant coordination, it also created space for meaningful impact, especially in improving protection structures for vulnerable groups.

“Each obstacle I’ve faced has been an opportunity to learn, adapt, and become a better officer and leader," she noted.