SIERRA LEONE’S ZAINAB GBLA HONOURED AS UN WOMAN POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR.

Chief Superintendent Zainab Mbalu Gbla of the Sierra Leone Police has been awarded the prestigious United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year Award for 2024. The announcement was made ahead of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, to be observed on 29 May 2025, during a high-level ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York, presided over by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Chief Superintendent Gbla becomes the first Sierra Leonean woman to receive the globally acclaimed honour, which recognizes outstanding leadership and innovation by female police officers serving in United Nations peace operations. Gbla currently serves as Chief Police Training Officer with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

Her selection shines a spotlight on Sierra Leone’s growing role in peacekeeping and women’s leadership on the global stage. Gbla was recognized for her exceptional community engagement work, including establishing crime reporting mechanisms in Abyei—a region that has no formal police infrastructure—and launching transformative social initiatives for women and children.

In a region where no schools existed when she arrived, Gbla initiated an education programme for vulnerable children, introduced a mentorship scheme for girls, and created income-generating initiatives such as support for livestock trading and small-scale farming to empower local women. These efforts have provided sustainable livelihoods and enabled families to send children to school in Abyei town.

Reflecting on her award, Gbla said, “This award symbolizes the tireless work of the women in uniform who serve under the UN flag. Each of us faces unique challenges in our respective missions, yet our collective goal remains the same: to foster peace and protect the vulnerable.”

Her leadership is informed by personal experience. Displaced during Sierra Leone’s civil conflict and later a refugee in Guinea, Chief Superintendent Gbla was inspired by the transformation of the Sierra Leone Police after the war. She joined the force in 2002, rising through the ranks and taking on leadership roles in operations, training, and disarmament. This is her third peacekeeping deployment, having previously served with the UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) from 2010 to 2013 and again between 2020 and 2021.

Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, praised Gbla’s work, noting, “She embodies the mission of the United Nations to improve lives and shape futures. Her contributions have not only bridged critical gaps in peacekeeping but have also empowered communities in profound ways.”

Also being honoured is Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana, who will receive the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her work in promoting gender-responsive military operations during her service with UNISFA.

The awards are grounded in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which advocates for women’s participation in peace processes and protection from conflict-related sexual violence. Chief Superintendent Gbla’s recognition aligns with Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to increase women’s participation in peacekeeping, security, and governance roles.

Her award is a source of national pride and a reaffirmation of Sierra Leone’s commitment to global peace and security. It also highlights the growing impact of Sierra Leonean women in uniform, whose courage, compassion, and professionalism continue to earn international acclaim.