Military Observer听Major Winnet Zharare听advocated for gender parity and women鈥檚 participation, within her own ranks, among local military counterparts, and in host communities in South Sudan.
A Zimbabwean peacekeeper who recently completed her assignment with the 缅北禁地Mission in South Sudan, will receive the 2021 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
Military Observer Major Winnet Zharare, 39, served in Bentiu, South Sudan in 2021-2022, and will receive the award from the Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres during a ceremony marking the International Day of 缅北禁地Peacekeepers on Thursday, 26 May 2022. Created in 2016, the United Nations 鈥淢ilitary Gender Advocate of the Year Award鈥� recognizes the dedication and efforts of an individual military peacekeeper in promoting the principles of 缅北禁地Security Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, as nominated by Heads and Force Commanders of 缅北禁地peace operations. Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres commended Major Zharare for her award. 鈥淢ajor Zharare is a role model and a trailblazer. Through her service, she has demonstrated the invaluable role that women play in building trust, advocating for change and forging peace,鈥� he said. 鈥淗er example shows how we will all gain with more women at the decision-making table and gender parity in peace operations,鈥� Mr. Guterres added.鈥� Major Zharare expressed her gratitude and pride for being selected to receive the award which, she said, 鈥渋t motivates her to maintain her course towards gender equality.鈥� 鈥淢y 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,鈥� she added. Major Zharare deployed to UNMISS in November 2020. Throughout her 17-month-long service, she advocated for gender parity and women鈥檚 participation, within her own ranks, among local military counterparts, and in host communities.
As the Chief Military Information Officer in UNMISS鈥� 听Bentiu field office, she helped ensure that patrols included both women and men to improve protection efforts as well as build trust between host communities and the Mission. Her efforts also contributed to an increase in 听gender-aggregated data so that issues raised by local women and girls would gain appropriate attention. 听
Advocating for gender parity and womens鈥� participation in an environment where they are traditionally excluded from decision-making, she encouraged local civilian and military authorities and community representatives to involve both men and women in meetings with the UN. Her diligence and diplomatic skills quickly gained her the trust of local military commanders who would systematically reach out to her on issues pertaining to women鈥檚 protection and rights. During her patrols and numerous community engagement initiatives, Major Zharare also successfully encouraged men and women to work together in farming and in the construction of dikes around Bentiu town to alleviate food shortages and prevent further displacement. 听
Major Zharare is the first Zimbabwean peacekeeper to receive this prestigious award.
About the awardee
Born in Mhondoro, Zimbabwe, to a family of five girls and two boys, Major Winnet Zharare was taught by her parents that there are no differences between gender roles in the home. Major Winnet Zharare began her military career in 2006 as a 2nd Lieutenant and deployed as an Infantry Platoon Commander, doubling as a matron, in Mutare that same year. In 2009, she joined the logistics corps and completed the Junior Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College and the Company Commanders鈥� Course at the All-Arms Battle School in 2014. Major Zharare then worked as a Protocol Officer from 2015 to 2019, after which she was nominated for deployment in UNMISS as a Military Observer in Bentiu, South Sudan, fulfilling roles including Chief Information Officer, Training Officer, and Gender Focal Point. Her tour of duty ended in April 2022, and she is now back serving in her home country.
