As the first  woman to command a UN peacekeeping operation, and until very recently the Organization’s highest-ranking female commander, Major General Kristin Lund knows better than most, the importance of engaging women in the field.

After two years as head of Mission and Chief of Staff of the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), peacekeeping in the Middle East, and an additional two years overseeing the peacekeeping operation in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Ms. Lund, a native of Norway, and pioneer for military gender equality, is stepping down.

Maj. Gen. Lund spoke to Stéphanie Coutrix about what it means to hang up her uniform, and what plans she has on the horizon.