The UN Department of Peace Operations announced that Chief Inspector Doreen Malambo of Zambia, currently serving in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will be awarded the 2020 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year. She will receive the award virtually at a ceremony on 3 November.

Chief Inspector Malambo currently serves as a Gender Adviser in Juba, South Sudan. Working with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), she helped establish the Stand Up for Rights of Women and Girls initiative that has helped to reduce and prevent sexual and gender-based crime in South Sudan. As part of this project, Chief Inspector Malambo created a network of groups led by male local police officers to engage other men in the community to disseminate information and promote the protection and advancement of the rights of women and girls.

Chief Inspector Malambo also contributed to UNMISS’ efforts to disseminate information on COVID-19 prevention to vulnerable communities, including those with disabilities.

The United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year award was established in 2011 to recognize the exceptional contributions of women police officers to UN peace operations and to promote the empowerment of women.