The importance of Gender Equality in the Military

UNDP SEESAC has made gender equality central to its work. The Gender Equality in the Military, by linking the Global Goals on Gender Equality to achieving Peaceful societies, Justice and Strong Institutions, fully acknowledges that no true development can be achieved if half of the world population is left behind. 

Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans, supported by UNDP SEESAC, embarked on the long-term mission to make security institutions fit for gender equality. Now, more personnel are aware of the importance of gender equality in the armed forces, human resources policies have been reformed to strengthen career prospects of women officers, and there are mechanisms in place to ensure gender equality. Also, the Regional Network of Gender Military Trainers is working with their colleagues to make gender the norm in their institutions.

Building upon the successful implementation of Phase I (2012-2016), UNDP SEESAC and Ministries of Defence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia - with the aim of consolidating and ensuring the sustainability of results achieved during Phase I - began the implementation of Phase II (2019-2021) of the Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans project, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs.