An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 11 WoMaN To WoMaN by FIRST LIEUTENANT INKA VENHO, CIVIL-MILITARY COOPERATION (CIMIC) OFFICER, FINIRISHBATT UNIFIL PhoToS AuThoR AnD CouRTESy oF UNIFIL FLICKR www.flickr.com/photos/unifil/ "Women are strong. We can help each other. This will help us more than you ever knew." FInIRIShbATT is located in the southern part of Lebanon in the municipality of bint Jubayl. The joint-battalion of over 500 men and women has area of responsibility (AoR) containing fourteen villages, which peacekeepers cooperate with local residents to stabilise the security situation. The united nations Interim Force in Lebanon (unIFIL) has three main functions: to monitor the ces- sation of hostilities, support the Lebanese authorities and to assist the Lebanese population. Instability in Lebanon effects men and women in different ways. UN Peacekeepers are doing valuable work by creating trust- ful relationships with local populations. During peacekeeping operations it is essential to recognise the critical needs of the local population in the area of operations, such as electricity, water supply challenges or medical support requirements. The ultimate goal of peacekeeping operations is to carry out the reconstruction of the host nation's society and preserve the integrity of the na- tion's ability to work independently. The committees that have discussions and make decisions on behalf of the communities are often male dominated. Women are also affected in these communities in many ways but they do not have a voice. Therefore it is important to take into account women's viewpoints and their special needs in order to create a safe and peaceful environment. In Lebanon women are primarily responsible for childcare and home maintenance. Due to the cul- tural and religious traditions, local women find it espe- cially difficult to work with foreign men. The inclusion of females in the peacekeep- ing forces to gain the trust of local women is crucial as the local women can ap- proach female peacekeepers much easier than their male counterparts. Lifesaving first aid train- ing for Lebanese women is one of the FINIRISHBATT practices to provide support to Lebanese people. Finnish and Irish nurses and medics have a diverse skill set and are highly valued within their Battalions. Local women gather in the social centres of the southern Lebanese villages of Ayn Ibil and Bint Jubayl to receive first-aid training provided by FINIRISHBATT nurses and medics. Husbands let wives participate in the training only in the presence of other women. Even the presence of a single foreign man is enough to prevent women from participating. Topics covered in the four lessons to be held each week in March include: treatment of burns, open wound dressing, preventing choking and recognising critical disease symptoms. Women meet each other openly and smile warmly in an arena where support, assistance and compassion are welcome. Many of the skills taught are new to the local women and they actively ask questions and write notes. Old traditions die-hard and some of the commonly used traditional remedies are enough to shake any old wives tale. The traditional treatment for a burn is to cover it with toothpaste, yoghurt or egg white, and wrap it tightly with gauze. Peacekeep- ers answer these issues with respect and kindness to the local's traditions. Women practice burn wound dressing and discuss the different degrees of burns. Next week's lesson deals with open wound dressing and to prevent bleeding and the women of the local community look forward to seeing the FINIRISHBATT nurses and medics again. Peacekeepers work in many different ways to unify the commu- nity. Peacekeepers act as role models to children so that they also have an opportunity in the future to work for peace and interna- tional cooperation. Lebanese girls and young women often say that they feel a greater sense of safety in the presence of female peace- keepers and that they too wish to be strong and independent wom- en. Peacekeeping operations have the positive impact of enhancing future generations. We are working to create the possibility of a more secure future for the men, women and children of Lebanon. Finnish Female Peacekeeper Irish Female Peacekeeper Peacekeeper and Medic Cpl Sarah Tobin shows how to cover up burn injuries Peacekeeper and Nurse Cpl Tiina Hoffrén teaches Lebanese women about different types of burn injuries

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