Unable to return home due to COVID-19, Pakistan woman army officer misses her two-year-old son

Islamabad: As part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo, Pakistan’s woman army officer Major Samia Rehman has won plaudits not only from her compatriots, but also from the international community.

Major Samia’s story attracted global attention when the UN Peacekeeping Mission posted her picture on its twitter handle with the title ‘Peacekeeper of the Day’.

Operational Planning Officer on UN mission in Democratic Republic of Congo, Major Rehman was supposed to report back to Pakistan on April 6, but she was unable to reunite with her family because of the suspension of international commercial flight operations due to the coronavirus outbreak.

While quoting her in its post, UN Peacekeeping has paid its tributes to Major Samia who left behind a two-year old toddler in pursuit of her responsibilities as a peacekeeper.

“My duty was scheduled to end on April 6, but I’m unable to go home due to COVID-19. My two-year-old is asking me: ‘Mama, when will you be back?’ I’m worried, but my passion for work has increased manifold. Together, we can slow the spread [of the virus],” Major Samia was quoted in the UN peacekeeping account.

Soon after her story was highlighted on the UN Peacekeeping Mission’s Twitter account, Pakistanis in large numbers have re-tweeted the post and expressed their prayers for her safe return home.

Azhersyed86, while responding to the UN tweet, prayed that she might be protected by the Almighty and may she return to her two-year old and her family in sound health.

Saqib Naveed Ranjha, another netizen, paid “Huge Respect” to the major, accompanied by a clapping hands emoji.

Last year, Major Samia was selected for the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Certificate of 2019. She is the first female officer of the Pakistan Army to receive the honour. The certificate was awarded to Major Samia for her extraordinary performance in Mission Level Studies, analysis and other valuable contributions. Major-General Thierry Lion presented the certificate to her on behalf of the SRSG.

The role and services of women peacekeepers from Pakistan, deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been applauded by the UN and also by officials from the United States. In February this year, Pakistan’s female peacekeepers, part of the UN Organisation for Stabilisation Mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO), were awarded a UN medal at a ceremony in Adikivu in South Kivu, one of the provinces of the central African country.

The team of 15 female officers, serving at the ranks of major and captain, have been stationed in the war-torn country since June last year. Besides Congo, Pakistani army is also part of the peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR). These officers and soldiers include regular staff members, psychologists, stress counsellors, vocational training officers, gender advisers, doctors, nurses, operations officers, information officers and logistics officers.