Inspector Shakti Devi of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has been named recipient of the International Female Police Peacekeeper Award 2014 by the UN’s Police Division. She is currently deployed in the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. The award has been given for her efforts towards helping victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Ms. Devi has been honoured for her “exceptional achievements” leading to the establishment of Women Police Councils in several parts of Afghanistan.
The award was delivered during the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) conference held earlier this month in Winnipeg, Canada.
India is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, having contributed more than 170,000 troops in 43 out of 69 peacekeeping missions mandated by the United Nations Security Council so far.
The UN owes India $110 million, the second highest outstanding payment to any country, for costs relating to peacekeeping operations and troops.
Objectives of the Award:
- To promote an understanding of police in peace operations throughout the world
- Highlight the efforts of female police in global peace operations
- Increase understanding of the roles of women officers in various countries
- Encourage participation in UN peace operations by all countries of the world.
