The United Nations has announced the recipients of its top gender-focused peacekeeping awards for 2024. Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana will receive the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, while Chief Superintendent Zainab Mbalu Gbla of Sierra Leone will be honored with the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year Award.
The awards will be presented by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during a ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May 2025 at UN Headquarters in New York.
Squadron Leader Sharon Syme has been recognized for her exceptional dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls during her deployment with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in 2024, where she served as the Mission’s Military Gender Adviser.
Her initiatives included a robust health campaign addressing the dangers of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices, such as child marriage. She also strengthened the gender capacity of UNISFA’s military components, organized inclusive patrols with both male and female peacekeepers, and fostered collaboration with local women’s groups to build trust and mutual understanding.
“Squadron Leader Syme exemplifies the principles of gender advocacy in peacekeeping,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. “Her dedication has not only enhanced the effectiveness of UNISFA’s operations but also ensured the mission is more inclusive and responsive to the communities it serves.”
“Applying gender perspectives into daily tasks is the responsibility of every peacekeeper,” said Squadron Leader Syme. “Success comes from diversifying military representation at checkpoints, operating bases, and on patrols. It also requires gender-responsive leaders who listen to and support both male and female peacekeepers.”
Chief Superintendent Zainab Gbla, currently serving as UNISFA’s Chief Police Training Officer, was honored for her innovative community engagement initiatives. In an area lacking a functioning police service and formal education infrastructure, she launched a series of transformative programs.
These included the establishment of informal education for disadvantaged children, mentorship programs for girls, and livelihood projects for local women—such as crop cultivation and livestock trade which helped provide sustainable income and access to education for their children.
Having experienced conflict and displacement herself during the Sierra Leone civil war, Chief Superintendent Gbla brings a unique perspective to her work. Her earlier peacekeeping roles included deployments with the United Nations–African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) from 2010–2013 and again in 2020–2021.
“Chief Superintendent Gbla embodies the UN’s mission to improve lives and shape futures,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix. “She has used her experiences to inspire and empower other women affected by conflict.”
“This award symbolizes the tireless work of women in uniform who serve under the UN flag,” said Chief Superintendent Gbla. “Each of us faces unique challenges, yet we share the same goal: to foster peace and protect the vulnerable.”
Chief Superintendent Zainab Mbalu Gbla joined the Sierra Leone Police in 2002. She has served in various operational, training, and leadership roles. With UNISFA since April 2023, she currently oversees the Community-Based Disarmament Unit and serves as the UNPOL Chief Training Officer.
Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme holds a master’s degree in international health from Tokyo University. She joined the Ghana Armed Forces Medical Corps a year after graduating from the Ghana Military Academy and currently serves as Deputy Chief Dietician at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. UNISFA is her first peacekeeping deployment.
The UN Woman Police Officer of the Year Award, established in 2011, honors exceptional contributions of female police officers to UN peacekeeping missions and promotes women’s empowerment in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, introduced in 2016, is awarded to a military peacekeeper regardless of gender who demonstrates outstanding leadership in integrating gender perspectives into peacekeeping operations. Both awards highlight the importance of women’s roles in peace and security and underscore the UN’s commitment to inclusive and effective peacekeeping.
