5 Questions for a Human Security Adviser
Major Helen recently arrived in post at the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leaving her role as a Police Officer. She’s the latest Gender and Child Protection Adviser the UK has sent to the United Nations mission.
1. What is your day to day role?
“I advise the Force Commander on anything to do with gender and provide support to other engagement teams who are here. We have teams from all over, for example Morocco, Malawi, Tanzania, Nepal, Indonesia and Pakistan. For this, I’m learning Swahili and improving my French. During COVID, training is either conducted online or in open spaces, with masks and distancing, to make it as safe as possible. I’m also gathering data to send to the UN Headquarters in New York.”
2. Why should people care about gender?
“Women are 50% of society. If 50% are adversely affected by conflict or situations beyond their control, then a lasting peace will never occur. Also, gender isn’t just about women: it’s men, women, boys and girls, and how each are differently affected by a situation.
You need that other voice at the table. A gender perspective needs to be embedded in planning, briefing commanders, communications. It needs to be at every stage, not just a 1 hour powerpoint during pre-deployment training.
Everyone needs to think “how will what I’m going to do affect everyone in the society, not just the Armed Groups?” We’re not here to add to the problems, we’re here to solve them, and ignoring half of the society will make people’s lives worse.”
3. Why is your work called Human Security rather than Women, Peace and Security, as in other departments?
“I think that’s a better name for it because Human Security covers a wider range of topics— protection of civilians, conflict-related sexual violence, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse.
All of those things don’t operate in isolation, they’re interlinked and have to be considered as part of a whole.”
4. What are the main challenges in your role?
“Getting civilian agencies in the UN and the Forces to work together, rather than being seen as two separate entities. Helping them see how similar their jobs often are is a challenge. Being a Reservist and working regularly with civilian and military colleagues gives me an ability to communicate with and understand both groups.
A gender perspective needs to include every person in the team — not just those with Arms, but the cooks, cleaners and childcarers who travel with the troops. They all need to be included.”
5. Does the job have an effect on your wellbeing?
“I’m quite happy. Any opportunity to come back to a different part of Africa — you didn’t have to ask me twice! This is an extension of my civilian job as a Police Officer, which also lends itself to my role out here. I really value having both skillsets, understanding military and civilian culture. I’ve been in the Police for 19 years, and the military for 31.
I’m the more adventurous one in the family. I’m always doing stuff, going to places. If an opportunity arises, I’ll probably go “great, where is it?” In the military I’ve been to lots of places, like the Falkland Islands, Iraq, Bosnia, Kenya, Uganda and Austria.
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