"Even if Canada would be amazing enough to deploy hundreds and hundreds of women, that wouldn't move the needle," said one source. Women only constitute 10 per cent of the police officers on peacekeeping missions — far short of the 20 per cent benchmark established in 2011. According to the latest figures from the department of peacekeeping operations, only 18 countries — including Canada — have reached the 15 per cent military target. Jolie was already scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the conference which will be attended by 80 countries. Last year, at the first UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial gathering in London, Jolie delivered an impassioned plea for stepped-up prosecution of peacekeepers accused of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Source: CBC News November 15, 2017 02:00 UTC