Thread by @WillJMeddings

Female engagement teams, working with allies and the value of getting information from across the population.

An update on the UK operation in #Mali courtesy of @CO_QDG.
1/11

@ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado, @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures The @TheWelshCavalry Task group have been building on the success of previous rotations, employing a female engagement team to enhance their ability to understand #Mali and its culture.
2/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry On their most recent patrol, whilst protecting civilians in the border town of Labezanga, A Company @RIrishRegiment were quickly able to identify women’s associations after speaking with the local Gendarmarie.
3/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry @RIrishRegiment A meeting was subsequently established with the associations and its leaders.

They were quickly able to generate a female engagement team and deploy them to the town.
4/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry @RIrishRegiment Whilst remaining culturally sensitive, the FET established a safe area to conduct dialogue and understand women’s issues in Mali which is crucial to the LRRG’s effectiveness as a reconnaissance force.
5/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry @RIrishRegiment You don't get th best result by only relying on your own troops.

Using female community liaison officers from @UN_MINUSMA, as well as French speaking women from the LRRG and partners from the German Army, the FET can do even more.
6/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry @RIrishRegiment @UN_MINUSMA Dressing in a culturally sensitive manner is really important.

Removing body armour and keeping hair covered allows female peacekeepers to better interact and build rapport.
7/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry @RIrishRegiment @UN_MINUSMA Keeping group sizes small also helps to conduct conversations in a calm and casual atmosphere.

It allows dialogue be personal and approachable.
8/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry @RIrishRegiment @UN_MINUSMA The UK is a permanent member of the @UN Security Council. So it is important that UK forces continue to contribute to developing the Women, Peace and Security agenda within peacekeeping operations.

What we are doing in #Mali is just one example.
9/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry @RIrishRegiment @UN_MINUSMA @UN You can read Hugo Lloyd's original thread below.

He's worth following at @CO_QDG if you want to keep up to date on the UK's operations in #Mali.
10/11

@CO_QDG @ExCO_MOG @olivier_salgado @sabrinamkarim @SharmanStone @EScottKakures @TheWelshCavalry @RIrishRegiment @UN_MINUSMA @UN And if you are interested in peacekeeping and gender, here's eight people I'd recommend you follow to learn more about the subject.
11/11