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PORT LOUIS, Mauritius — Raised in a modest household focused on family values and hard work, joining the Mauritius Police Force and National Coast Guard was a dream come true for Police Sgt. Prathibha Shamar Gajadhur.
Her inspiration to pursue a career in uniformed service was driven by a commitment to discipline and duty.
"I have always had a strong desire to serve in a uniformed service; I was drawn to the ideals of dedication, discipline, and commitment that such roles embody," she recalled.
After joining the Coast Guard, Gajadhur was selected for advanced training opportunities that she may not have experienced in another line of work.
"The opportunity to join the Coast Guard was a dream come true for me. It opened doors to embark on adventures at sea and confront the challenges associated with maritime operations. The prospect of protecting our waters, engaging in search-and-rescue missions, and contributing to national security felt like the perfect path for my ambitions."
The complex international security environment in Africa has a critical maritime dimension characterized by trafficking,oil theft, piracy, and Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported fishing among other maritime crimes These activities threaten the security of Africa’s maritime environment and endanger economies that rely upon the ocean for food and trade.
Over the last two weeks, Gajadhur, who embraces opportunities to advance her skills and challenge traditional norms, participated in two key military engagements in her country–a Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) workshop and an advanced visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) course during Exercise Cutlass Express 2025 (CE 25). Enabled by U.S. 6th Fleet, CE 25 provides collaborative opportunities amongst African forces and international partners in order to address maritime security concerns in the Western Indian Ocean.
Through the WPS initiative, Gajadhur has been at the forefront of highlighting the role of women in peacebuilding and security.
"WPS has taught me that true leadership is inclusive. It’s about harnessing diverse perspectives to build stronger, more resilient teams," she explained.
The program’s focus on gender inclusivity, cultural awareness, and empowerment has affected her both on and off-duty.
"A pivotal moment in my career was being selected to participate in CE 25 and the WPS workshop. The opportunity came as a recognition of my service record, however, it also resonated deeply with my aspirations as a woman committed to contributing to peace and security efforts."
Through the VBSS course, Gajadhur stated her operational capabilities were enhanced by offering a set of realistic training scenarios, from boarding exercises to crisis management. These hands-on opportunities helped to refine her tactical skills in response to a myriad of maritime challenges.
"CE 25 wasn’t just about learning maneuvers; it was about building trust and collaboration among diverse teams," she noted. "To me, these experiences are about proving that as a woman, I too can lead, thrive, and effect positive change, both within the military and in society at large."
From balancing rigorous training demands with family responsibilities, Gajadhur’s experience directly reflects Mauritius' evolving maritime security landscape.
As Mauritius and other nations continue prioritizing securing their coastal waters, Gajadhur’s participation in these exercises highlights the significance and importance of advanced training in enhancing operational readiness and promoting a more diverse approach to maritime security.
Conducting exercises, such as CE 25, are vital in fostering relationships with partner nations and interagency organizations thereby enhancing our capabilities to promote maritime security and stability in the region.
Participants in this year’s iteration of Cutlass Express include Belgium, Comoros, Djibouti, France, Georgia, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.
U.S. Africa Command’s efforts to protect the maritime economy ensure continued, sustainable use of maritime resources and enable maritime trade. CE 25 is one of three regional maritime exercises enabled by U.S. 6th Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns.
Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2025 11:00 |
| Story ID: | 491036 |
| Location: | MU |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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