Indonesia's Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, has highlighted the underrepresentation of women in peace and security efforts. According to 2018 United Nations (UN) data, only 8% of negotiators and 2% of mediators within the UN were women. Despite possessing diplomatic capabilities equal to men, women remain significantly underrepresented in these roles.
Recognizing this gap, the Indonesian government initiated specialized training programs for female diplomats from ASEAN countries and Papua New Guinea. These programs aim to enhance women's capacities as global peace agents, particularly in conflict prevention. Female peacekeepers, often referred to as "Blue Helmets," play a crucial role in upholding global peace and promoting human rights. Indonesia has been proactive in ensuring that its female personnel are actively engaged in peacekeeping missions.
As of February 2021, Indonesia remains the eighth-largest contributor of UN peacekeeping personnel, with 2,607 men and 185 women deployed. The majority; 1,229 personnel serve in Lebanon under UNIFIL. Indonesia first sent peacekeepers to UNIFIL in 2006, with an initial deployment of 850 men and seven women in 2009.
Indonesian female peacekeepers perform the same duties and responsibilities as their male counterparts. They are integrated into various units, including:
Mechanical Battalion (Yonmek)
Force Headquarters Support Unit (FHQSU)
Force Protection Company (INDO FPC)
Military Police Unit (MPU)
Military Community Outreach Unit (MCOU)
Medical and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC)
Recognizing the effectiveness of female personnel in fulfilling UN mandates, Indonesia has pledged to increase their numbers in peacekeeping operations. This decision aligns with the Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs No. 5 of 2015, which formalized Indonesia’s vision to deploy 4,000 peacekeepers by 2019.
The UN first launched its peacekeeping mission in 1956 to address the Suez Canal crisis. During the Cold War, when international tensions often paralyzed the UN Security Council, peacekeeping missions were deployed to maintain ceasefires and stabilize conflict zones. However, women were not included in these missions.
It was not until 1993 that female personnel were first introduced, constituting merely 1% of peacekeeping forces. Over time, as evidence mounted that women played equally significant roles as men, often proving more effective in conflict resolution, their presence increased. Indonesian women, particularly from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri), have also been actively involved in UN peacekeeping missions. Female TNI personnel, known as Wan TNI, and female police officers (Polwan) have served under the UN flag in various conflict zones, including Lebanon and Haiti, as well as in volatile regions such as Sudan and South Sudan.
According to UN data from May 2018, Indonesia had 1,290 TNI personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions, including 48 women ranging from officers to non-commissioned officers. By 2019, female representation in UN peacekeeping increased to 4.7% among military personnel and 10.8% among police personnel. Indonesia has been sending peacekeeping troops since 1957 and remains committed to increasing its participation. As of December 2020, Indonesia ranked eighth among the largest contributors of UN peacekeepers, with 2,827 personnel, comprising 2,663 men and 164 women deployed across eight UN peace missions.
The majority of Indonesia’s peacekeepers are stationed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), where 1,253 personnel serve, including 65 women. Notably, Indonesia's female representation in UNIFIL surpasses that of Finland, despite Finland ranking higher in gender equality indices. Indonesia's commitment to expanding its peacekeeping role is reflected in the enactment of the Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs No. 1 of 2017, which amended the Vision Roadmap for 4,000 Peacekeepers (2015–2019). While this roadmap primarily sought to increase Indonesia’s total peacekeeping contingent, it indirectly contributed to the growing participation of female peacekeepers.
Indonesia’s deployment of peacekeeping forces under UNIFIL was prompted by the 2006 Lebanon War, often referred to as the "34-Day War." The UN Security Council responded to the conflict by issuing Resolution 1701, which called for the disarmament of Hezbollah, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the restoration of Lebanese government authority in the region.
The UN first intervened in Lebanon in 1978 following Israeli military operations against Palestinian militants based there. UN Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426 laid the foundation for UNIFIL’s peacekeeping mandate. The mission has since undergone two major phases: the original UNIFIL (1978) and the expanded UNIFIL (2006), with the latter focusing on de-escalating conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the UN’s efforts, Israeli forces maintained control over certain areas in southern Lebanon, prompting resistance from local Shiite communities. This led to the formation of Hezbollah, which became a key adversary in the region. The ongoing instability has necessitated the continued presence of peacekeepers, including Indonesian troops.
The increasing number of Indonesian female peacekeepers deployed to UN missions demonstrates the government's commitment to gender inclusion in global security efforts. Between 2015 and 2019, female participation in UNIFIL grew steadily, though the numbers remained relatively small compared to male personnel.
More than 50% of Indonesia’s female peacekeepers serve in UNIFIL, reflecting a strategic effort to enhance gender representation in peace operations. However, despite Indonesia's dedication to increasing female participation, the military still struggles to meet gender quotas.
The push for greater female involvement is influenced by several factors:
International Demands: The UN and international organizations advocate for gender-balanced peacekeeping forces through resolutions like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000).
Government Support: Indonesian laws and regulations promote human rights, non-discrimination, and gender equality, including the 1945 Constitution and Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2000.
Civil Society Advocacy: Organizations like AMAN Indonesia actively support gender equality and contribute to the preparation of female peacekeepers for deployment.
Indonesia has significantly expanded the role of women in UN peacekeeping missions, particularly through its contributions to UNIFIL. Despite challenges in meeting gender quotas, the country remains committed to increasing female participation, recognizing their vital contributions to conflict resolution and peacebuilding. With continued efforts from the government, international organizations, and civil society, Indonesian women will play an increasingly influential role in maintaining global peace and security.