The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations has announced that Nepal's Superintendent of Police (SP) Sangya Malla, who is serving in the ongoing United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), will be honored with the United Nations Outstanding Female Police Officer Award for 2021.The award will be presented to SP Sangya Malla by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at a virtual ceremony on November 9.
Supervisor Malla is currently the head of the MONUSCO Police Health and Environment Unit in Kinshasa, the capital of the Congo. Established with Malla's support, the unit is responsible for implementing the health and welfare policies and procedures of the mission members, as well as the environmental programs of the United Nations Police.
Malla's contribution has been significant in the context of the current Covid-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Ebola virus epidemic of the past. In addition, his unit warned locals and UN staff to take precautionary measures in the event of a natural and humanitarian crisis, such as the eruption of Goma in May.
"The MONUSCO Health and Environment Unit, currently established with Malla's own support, is working to ensure the safety and well-being of our peacekeepers by minimizing the risk of COVID-19 and other disasters," said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Women police officers represent many contributions in promoting peace and security. Through her work, SP Malla has embodied the excellence of the United Nations. ”
SP Malla, a medical professional, has helped in the development of guidelines for the prevention and reduction of Kovid-19 infection. For locals, Congolese officials and UN staff, she has organized more than 300 public awareness programs this year on COVID-19 prevention as well as environmental protection. As a liaison officer of MONUSCO Police regarding COVID-19, she has been disseminating necessary information about vaccines and also promoting vaccination programs.
"I am honored to receive this award, and I hope that it will encourage more women in my country, as well as around the world, to join the police force, as it is still seen as a 'men's work,'" said SP Malla.
The United Nations Women Police Officer of the Year Award was established in 2011 to honor the unique contribution of women police officers to the United Nations peacekeeping mission and to promote women's empowerment.
"Like many other peacekeepers, Supervisor Malla has served the local community by working in addition to her responsibilities during this challenging time of the epidemic," said Luis Carrilho, a UN police adviser. It has also helped keep the Congolese people safe, and that is the main responsibility of the police service. "
SP Malla previously worked at the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) from 2016 to 2017, where she was a member of the medical team of the organized police unit there. She joined the Nepal Police in 2008 as an inspector.
The award will be presented on the occasion of the 16th United Nations Police Week to be celebrated from November 8 to 12. The annual event will feature discussions between heads of UN police departments and peacekeeping missions, special political missions and regional office police experts and senior UN leaders on performance, conduct and discipline, public safety, conflict resolution, peace sustainability and other issues and priorities affecting UN police service.
At present, 7,300 UN police personnel, comprising about 27 percent women, are deployed in 14 UN peacekeeping missions around the world, where they work to expand international peace and security by assisting the host nation in times of conflict and post-conflict and other crises.
The goals of the Gender Equality Strategy for all levels of staff set by the United Nations Police for 2025 have been met. The number of women police officers is 30 percent in individual police officers and 15 percent in organized police units.
At the UN headquarters, women make up 40 percent of the professional force and 33 percent of the work force. Fifty percent of the police units under the United Nations peacekeeping mission are led by women.
The award ceremony will take place virtually on November 9 at 12:30 European Standard Time (EST).
