Indian paramilitary women face daunting task in Ebola-hit Liberia

As the panic around Ebola has taken over the global consciousness, there are a few dedicated women from India who, in the line of their duty, are risking contamination in Liberia, one of the five worst-hit countries.

The female formed police unit of the CRPF, as part of the United Nations's Mission, is posted in Liberia to be a part of peace-keeping activities like restoring law and order, training personnel and taking care of the security of the president. The unit, the eight female unit India has sent since 2007, went on February this year and will return only in February next year after the mission is over, as per the policy. They continue to serve and are not recalled till their mission completes, informed a CRPF official.

"We will take necessary steps to ensure their safety, and will scan them before they are brought back to the country," said the official, although he declined to comment on whether the women are exposed to the disease while on duty.

The CRPF has sent its personnel for the UN Mission to Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Haiti where they battle sexual violence amidst a broken society. The CRPF has sent four male contingents till date, apart from eight women contingents. Personnel who are selected are compensated as per CRPF norms and the UN's standards, making it lucrative.

The women, sent annually to Liberia in batches annually, usually leave behind families and children to be a part of the mission, although as per policy the CRPF does not send new mothers. The current batch is responsible for the security of the Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia, and takes care of her residential quarters. Apart from that, the women are deputed during riots, on nighttime patrolling, etc. Sent in batches of 125, the tough selection of the women is followed by a gruelling specialised training routine of around seven weeks.

Annie Abraham, DIG (Intelligence), who led the first mission to Liberia in 2007, said that her force commanded respect from both Liberian men and women. "Our girls would patrol dark alleys in the nights, teach women about hygiene and safety, and ensure that the men do not harm their women," said Abraham. "With their AK-47s and carbines, they were a force to reckon with."

They might be tackling various difficulties, sometimes in places where even basic medical benefits are unavailable. "Commandeering a force of women in an unknown place, dealing with their physical, emotional and psychological well-being was the toughest task," said Abraham.