Corporal Sandrine Iradukunda reflects on 10 years of service, peacekeeping

Thousands of Rwandan soldiers serving in the United Nations peacekeeping missions rotate annually across different countries. One of those is Corporal Sandrine Iradukunda, who has been a soldier for 10 years and is currently deployed in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Iradukunda, 30, shared insights into her daily life as a peacekeeper. ALSO READ: How Rwandan peacekeepers are helping South Sudan communities She is among the few female soldiers operating an armoured personnel carrier (APC), a military vehicle designed to transport personnel and equipment in combat zones. Excerpts: As a peacekeeper, what does your day look like? I wake up at 4:30 a.m., do some physical exercise, and then prepare for work. My day starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. What do you like doing after work? I enjoy doing sports and reading to increase my knowledge. Do you face any challenges in your work because you are a woman? Not particularly. The challenges are normal and not related to being a woman. Being able to do our job takes confidence and learning. I don’t use my gender as an excuse to take things lightly. I enjoy it, and it’s easy for me to do. How long have you been in this job? I’ve been in this career for 10 years, and this is what I’ve been doing throughout. What message would you give to young women with similar dreams? It’s important for women to contribute to Rwanda’s development and work on their personal growth, alongside our brothers. We are their equals, and they should take pride in following our example and contributing to the country's progress.

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Corporal Sandrine Iradukunda reflects on 10 years of service, peacekeeping