Freetown Sierra Leone, 15 May 2025 – Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Zainab Gbla of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has been named the United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year for 2025.
CSP Gbla, currently serving with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), holds the roles of Chief Training Officer and Officer-in-Charge of the Capacity Building and Development Unit within the UN Police. She joined the mission in April 2023, initially deployed to the Tajalei Team Site as a gender officer.
Upon her arrival in Tajalei, Gbla quickly recognized the lack of formal education as a critical community challenge. In response, she spearheaded the establishment of a school programme for village children, collaborating closely with community members, particularly women, to provide essential learning materials and design innovative teaching tools, including visual aids.
In addition to educational initiatives, Gbla fostered community cohesion by launching a local football team, organizing matches between residents and peacekeepers. This initiative has been instrumental in building trust and promoting positive relationships between the UN mission and the local population.
Gbla’s recognition by the UN highlights her pioneering work in community engagement and trust-building in an area without a formal national police presence. She creatively employed performing arts to connect with children and youth, encouraging them to report human rights violations and participate in educational and awareness programmes.
Her efforts have significantly improved public understanding of crime prevention and evidence preservation, while also establishing new channels for crime reporting and enhancing community collaboration on security matters.
The 14th United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year Award will be formally presented to CSP Gbla on 29 May 2025, during the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The United Nations Police Division praised Gbla’s exceptional contributions to international peacekeeping, describing her as a role model for law enforcement officers worldwide.
This global recognition stands as a testament to the professionalism, discipline, and integrity of the Sierra Leone Police, underscoring the country’s growing reputation in international peacekeeping.
SLP Media Team
UNDP in Sierra Leone
