U.S. Senators seek to boost women in international forces

Also, according to the United Nations, women make up 3 percent of total military forces deployed to peacekeeping missions and 9 percent of total police forces deployed to peacekeeping missions.

For law enforcement, the U.S. State Department would have to ensure that women make up at least 10 percent of participants from foreign countries getting law enforcement training.

In her statement, Boxer said more women in peacekeeping missions could curb alleged sexual abuse.

“When women are deployed on peacekeeping missions, there are fewer allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation,” she said. “Women soldiers and police are uniquely capable of reaching out to underserved populations, demobilizing and reintegrating female ex-combatants, and mentoring other women."

The underrepresentation of women affects mission effectiveness, Shaheen added.

"Women bring an invaluable and necessary skill set to their units,” she said in a written statement. “We know that women all across the globe are ready and willing to meet the challenge of serving in security forces alongside male colleagues. Through our support of foreign security forces, the United States is in a position to empower women through participation in security forces.”

http://origin-nyi.thehill.com/policy/defense/297294-senators-seek-to-boost-women-in-international-forces