Chief Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone has been awarded the 2024 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year Award at a ceremony held at UN Headquarters in New York.
The award recognizes her innovative community engagement and efforts to promote peace and security in the Abyei region.
Chief Superintendent Gbla’s service in Abyei highlights the power of women-led peacekeeping and demonstrates Sierra Leone’s growing influence on the global stage.
During her deployment with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), she has pioneered educational and income-generating initiatives for women and children in the region.
She established a mentorship program for girls, provided teaching materials to disadvantaged children, and supported local women with sustainable income opportunities, enabling them to send their children to school.
“I am deeply honored by this award,” Gbla said. “This award symbolizes the tireless work of the women in uniform who serve under the UN flag. Each of us faces unique challenges, yet our collective goal remains the same: to foster peace and protect the vulnerable.”
Gbla, who currently serves as UNISFA’s Chief Police Training Officer, brings a personal connection to her work, having spent her teenage years displaced within Sierra Leone and later as a refugee in Guinea. She joined the Sierra Leone Police in 2002, determined to empower women affected by conflict.
The award was presented by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during the ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May 2025.
Also honored at the event was Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana, who received the 2024 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Syme was recognized for her exceptional leadership in integrating gender perspectives into peacekeeping operations, including conducting health campaigns on gender-based violence and mentoring local women’s groups in Abyei.
Both awardees exemplify the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which calls for the protection and empowerment of women in conflict-affected areas.
“Chief Superintendent Gbla embodies the United Nations’ mission to improve lives and shape futures,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. “Her dedication to community engagement and mentorship highlights the critical role of women in peacekeeping.”
The awards highlight Sierra Leone’s contribution to international peacekeeping efforts, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to global peace and security.
The awards ceremony was broadcast live on UN Web TV.
