Each year, 29 May marks the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, in remembrance of the more than 3,500 people who have lost their lives in peacekeeping operations over the UN’s 70-year history.
This year, it also falls on Memorial Day, when Americans commemorate their fallen servicewomen and men. On the face of it, there is little overlap between these two solemn anniversaries as the United States provides just 78 of the 97,774 peacekeeping troops currently deployed. However, the United States remains the single largest funder of UN peacekeeping operations, contributing 28 percent of the almost $8 billion annual cost, and it could play a major role in improving peacekeeping operations in one crucial area: gender balance. Doing so could be a low-cost way to improve peacekeeping operations, as well as the role of women around the world.
Read more on IRIN.