UNOPS with EIF support
BP Desk
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), in partnership with the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), on Tuesday marked the groundbreaking of a new dedicated accommodation facility for female peacekeepers at the BIPSOT campus in Rajendrapur, Gazipur.
The initiative, supported by the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF), hosted by UN Women, is a multi-donor financing mechanism launched by Canada to support women’s participation in peace operations. Implemented in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, this represents a significant step towards strengthening the country’s capacity to train and deploy women in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
The ceremony was attended by Major General Hussain Muhammad Mashihur Rahman, Commandant of BIPSOT, as Chief Guest, alongside representatives from the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Armed Forces Division (AFD), UNOPS, UN Women, and the High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh.
The project, titled “Enhancement of the Capacity of BIPSOT to Train Female Peacekeepers,” will establish a dedicated dormitory with capacity to accommodate 60 female peacekeepers at a time. Once completed, the facility is expected to increase BIPSOT’s annual training capacity for women peacekeepers. The project is overseen by a Project Implementation Committee (PIC) comprising representatives from the ERD, AFD, BIPSOT, Military Engineering Services (MES), and UNOPS.
Speaking at the event, Major General Hussain Muhammad Mashihur Rahman, Commandant of BIPSOT, said “This facility represents a crucial investment in the future of our peacekeepers. By creating a dedicated and enabling environment for female personnel, we are strengthening Bangladesh’s capacity to contribute to global peace operations while advancing our commitment to gender equality.”
Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh and Bhutan, emphasized the importance of practical solutions said “This project demonstrates how targeted infrastructure can address real barriers and enable greater participation of women in peacekeeping. At UNOPS, we are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable solutions that translate global commitments into tangible impact on the ground.”
From the gender equality perspective, UN Women Representative in Bangladesh, Gitanjali Singh, added “Investing in gender-responsive infrastructure is essential to removing systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in peacekeeping. This initiative represents a meaningful step toward creating an enabling environment where women can train, lead, and contribute fully to peace operations.”
From the development partner perspective, Mr. Philippe Bernier Arcand, Second Secretary (Political Affairs), High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh, stated that “Canada is proud to support this initiative through the Elsie Initiative Fund. Increasing women’s participation in peacekeeping is essential for more inclusive and effective missions, and Bangladesh continues to be a key partner in advancing this global priority.”
Representing the Government of Bangladesh, A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division, highlighted the national significance of the initiative.
He said “This project reflects Bangladesh’s strong commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Through strategic partnerships, we are creating opportunities for more women to serve in peacekeeping missions and contribute to global peace and stability.”
By addressing critical infrastructure gaps, the project will enable more women to participate in peacekeeping missions, contributing to greater gender equality and more effective peace operations globally.
