I am Natalia Gallardo, a Uruguayan Peacekeeping Sailor, working in the Uruguayan Riverine Company (URPAC) in Bukavu, South Kivu.

I am 22 years old; I was born in Paysandu city (North Uruguay). I come from a modest family composed only of my father and a brother, who also works in the Uruguayan Navy.

In Uruguay, I worked for Paysandu Coast Guard. As a countryside young woman, it is difficult to find a job, because many tasks are designed for men, while women are not valued. As young woman, I understood that I could serve as military, be disciplined as well as men, and show to other women that there are no obstacles when you want your personal growth and stand out in this job.

I spent one year at Argentina-Uruguay Customs in Paysandu Bridge. There, I gained lot of experience, and I used to have good relationship with local population and tourists.

In my career, I went through difficult times, where we had to carry out many controls and inspections for both people and vehicles.
After achieving a remarkable work with effort and discipline, Uruguayan Navy gave me the opportunity to be deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and serve MONUSCO.

Besides my activities as Uruguayan sailor, my hobby is boxing. I usually practice six days a week, with cardio and technical boxing training. Although our base does not have an ideal infrastructure to train for boxing, I manage to pursue out good drills and routines.

I have the full support of my family for my military career and my interest in boxing.

My happiest moment as a soldier was when I was selected as woman to be enrolled in this Peacekeeping mission.

For me it is also important to be in contact with Congolese women, and try to understand their difficulties and I try to play a role in solving their problems. I noticed that Congolese women interact more easily with female sailors than with male sailors.

I am proud to be a soldier and to serve in the Uruguayan Navy.

With more women in the Army and in peacekeeping, this is a great opportunity and we are breaking the myth.

I strongly believe that sacrifice, perseverance, discipline and respect are the values that allow you to reach any desired objective.