New BIPSOT Facility to Boost Female Peacekeepers

A new accommodation facility for female peacekeepers is set to be built at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training campus in Rajendrapur, Gazipur, aiming to strengthen Bangladesh’s role in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The project, implemented by United Nations Office for Project Services in partnership with BIPSOT, officially broke ground on Tuesday. It is supported by the Elsie Initiative Fund, a multi-donor mechanism hosted by UN Women and launched by Canada to promote women’s participation in peace operations.

Once completed, the facility will include a dedicated dormitory capable of housing 60 female peacekeepers at a time. Officials say this will significantly expand BIPSOT’s annual training capacity for women, helping Bangladesh deploy more female personnel to global missions.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by senior government and international representatives, including BIPSOT Commandant Major General Hussain Muhammad Mashihur Rahman, officials from the Economic Relations Division and Armed Forces Division, as well as delegates from UNOPS, UN Women and the Canadian High Commission.

Speaking at the event, the BIPSOT Commandant described the initiative as a critical investment in the future of Bangladesh’s peacekeeping efforts, noting that improved facilities would create a more supportive environment for female personnel.

UNOPS Bangladesh and Bhutan Country Manager Sudhir Muralidharan highlighted the importance of practical infrastructure in removing barriers to women’s participation, while UN Women Representative Gitanjali Singh stressed the need for gender-responsive facilities to ensure equal opportunities in peacekeeping roles.

Canada’s representative, Philippe Bernier Arcand, reaffirmed his country’s support for increasing women’s participation in peace missions, describing Bangladesh as a key partner in advancing this global agenda.

From the government side, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division A K M Sohel said the project reflects Bangladesh’s strong commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, adding that such partnerships are vital to creating more opportunities for women in international peacekeeping.

The initiative is expected to address longstanding infrastructure gaps, enabling more women to join peacekeeping missions and contribute to more inclusive and effective global peace efforts.