Pakistan Army's Maj Sania makes history after receiving 'gender advocacy award'

Pakistan Army's Major Sania Safdar has made the country proud as she became the first peacekeeper from the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) to receive the 2023 "Certificate of Recognition" for advocating gender equality.

The award, presented by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, recognises Major Safdar's dedication to promoting gender equality within the military component of the mission.

"Receiving this certificate as the first peacekeeper from UNFICYP is deeply meaningful to me and significant for our mission in Cyprus," she said after the achievement.

"It serves as a testament to our commitment to gender equality."

The "Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award" was created in 2016 to recognise individual military peacekeepers who promote the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

"As the Mission’s Force Signal Officer serving in the Field Technology Section, she was also involved in strengthening the effectiveness of joint patrols by incorporating communication tools to enhance military operations on the ground while, promoting gender representation in military," the mission said in a statement.

Major Safdar's contributions have strengthened the effectiveness of joint patrols and enhanced military operations on the ground while promoting gender representation in the military.

"Major Safdar’s recognition award serves as a testament to UNFICYP’s commitment to gender equality," it added.