ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Major Sania Safdar of the Pakistan Army has made history as the first UN peacekeeper in Cyprus to receive the 2023 ‘Certificate of Recognition’ for her efforts in advocating gender equality.
Currently serving as the Mission’s Force Signal Officer with the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Major Safdar has been recognized by the UN Department for Peace Operations, based in New York. The award was presented to her by Colin Stewart, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus.
In a heartfelt statement, Major Safdar expressed how meaningful this recognition is to her, not just personally but also for the Pakistan Army’s mission in Cyprus. She noted that being the first peacekeeper from UNFICYP to receive this award is a significant honor.
In her role, Major Safdar is responsible for managing communication systems and is a key advocate for gender equality within the mission’s military component. Since her deployment last year, she has been deeply involved in initiatives to integrate the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda into the mission’s work, demonstrating her commitment to advancing gender equality in a challenging environment. Her proactive efforts have played a crucial role in earning this esteemed recognition.
