Abstract:
Uniformed women have been playing a major role in peacekeeping operations; however, their
inclusion in peacekeeping operations is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the
inclusion of uniformed women in peacekeeping operations with the case study of the
Immigration Department in Dodoma. It had three objectives, which are: to explore the selection
criteria that are used by the Immigration Department for uniformed women involvement in
peacekeeping operations; to examine the efficacy of the selection criteria used by the
Immigration Department for uniformed women involvement in peacekeeping operations and to
examine the obstacles hindering the involvement of uniformed women in peacekeeping
operations at the Immigration Department.
It was underpinned by the Feminist theory and conflict theory. It embraced the constructivist
research philosophy in which the qualitative research approach and case study research design
were adhered. A total of 16 key informants were purposely sampled comprising; heads of units,
human resource officers, heads of sections, legal service officers, training officers, and
uniformed women from the Department. The methods that were used to collect data were
document review and in-depth interviews. The collected qualitative data were analyzed using
content analysis and presented in texts and supported by statements in quotations.
From the study results, it was revealed that the selection criteria that are used by the Immigration
Department in Dodoma for uniformed women involvement in peacekeeping operations involved
the utilization of experience level, physical fitness tests, psychological resilience tests and
adequate operational certainty. The efficacy of the selection criteria used by the Immigration
Department in Dodoma for uniformed women involvement in peacekeeping operations was
indicated by positive feedback from stakeholders, the success rate of the selected candidates in
mission, and operational effectiveness of missions requiring engagement with local populations.
The obstacles hindering the involvement of uniformed women in peacekeeping operations at the
Immigration Department in Dodoma comprised; inadequate support systems, cultural norms and
societal attitudes, limited access to opportunities and hostile work environment.
It is concluded that, the inclusion of uniformed women in peacekeeping operations at the
Immigration Department in Dodoma was still low, following the disbelief of uniformed women
in the selection criteria as the process itself was not transparent with staff in top management
unit, picking candidates basing on close relationships and family ties over professional
qualifications, and persistence of barriers hindering the involvement of uniformed women in
peacekeeping operations.
The study recommends that the Immigration Department in Dodoma should ensure transparency
and objectivity in the selection criteria and the whole selection process by defining,
documenting, and publishing the selection criteria, as well as using an independent selection
committee.
The findings of this study contribute to the body of knowledge on the inclusion of uniformed
women in peacekeeping operations. Moreover, it provides useful information that may help
policymakers in peace and security sector to create work policies that promote the involvement
of uniformed women in peacekeeping operations.