Today, more women serve in the police and army than at any other time in our country’s history, in ways never before.

Some of them are also contributing in unprecedented ways to bring peace in African countries ravaged by civil wars for many years.

Meet DSP Ndey Begay Mbye. She is currently in Juba, South Sudan on a peacekeeping mission for the second time. Together with other service men and women from different countries in the world, her responsibilities include helping the world’s newest country to consolidate peace and security and help create an environment for development to take place.

DSP Mbye is one of the senior officials in the Gambia Police Force. Her son described her as a caring mother who is so passionate about connecting people and bridging divides.

“She is a peacekeeper in Juba to protect civilians as the mandate requires. Her first mission was in 2006. My mum loves the people of South Sudan.”

DSP Mbye’s service is heroic, her sacrifices profound but like many women in the police her accomplishments are largely ignored.

“In a patriarchal society women’s accomplishments are usually ignored. But I am glad that since 1994 we have seen a growth in the number of women occupying top positions in the police,” said a gender activist.

The mother-of-one is expected back home in The Gambia in September when her second mission ends.