Zimbabwean Peacekeeper Named Gender Advocate of the Year

UN NEWS

A Zimbabwean peacekeeper received one of the United Nations’ top awards in recognition of her work to promote gender equality and protect women in South Sudan.

In a May 2022 ceremony, Maj. Winnet Zharare of Zimbabwe was named Military Gender Advocate of the Year. Throughout her 17-month assignment with the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Zharare advocated for gender parity and women’s participation within her own ranks, among local military counterparts and in host communities. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called her “a role model and a trailblazer.” 

“Her example shows how we will all gain with more women at the decision-making table, and gender parity in peace operations,” Guterres said.

As the chief military information officer in the UNMISS Bentiu field office, Zharare helped ensure that patrols included women and men to improve protection and build trust between host communities and the mission. Her diligence and diplomatic skills quickly gained the trust of local military commanders who would reach out to her on issues of women’s protection and rights.

During her patrols and numerous community engagement initiatives, Zharare encouraged men and women to work together in farming and building dikes around Bentiu town to alleviate food shortages and prevent further displacement. 

Zharare said that being selected motivates her to maintain her course toward gender equality.

Raised in Mhondoro, Zimbabwe, she said her parents raised their seven children without gender stereotyping. “My parents gave us equal opportunities with my brothers, so I believe that equal opportunities should be given to both men and women in all aspects of life,” Zharare said. 

From 2015 to 2019, she worked as a protocol officer before being nominated to serve in UNMISS as a military observer in Bentiu, in roles that included chief information officer, training officer and gender focal point. Before joining U.N. peacekeeping, her military career began in 2006 in Zimbabwe as a second lieutenant and later as an infantry platoon commander in Mutare.