How the security sector can help to achieve gender equality in line with UN Security Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security
Seminar for Representatives of the South East Europe Military Intelligence Chiefs’ Forum (SEEMIC)
30 September – 1 October 2020
In a two-days Gender Awareness Seminar, twenty-two representatives of the South East Europe Military Intelligence Chief’s Forum from ten countries, actively participated for the first time in an in-depth informative seminar on basic principles of gender equality and gender mainstreaming in the security sector, co-organized by the Regional Cooperation Council and UNDP SEESAC.
During the two days, participants from the SEEMIC platform, had an opportunity to learn on Gender equality and discrimination through basic concepts of gender equality; gender and gender roles; stereotypes and prejudices as causes of discrimination; different types and forms of discrimination; strategies for achieving gender equality; gender mainstreaming as a tool for achieving gender equality; UN framework for gender equality in line with the Agenda2030 for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and Goal 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
Participants received practical examples on Gender and Security Reform through an overview of advancing gender equality within security sector institutions and how the security sector can help to achieve gender equality in line with UN Security Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Sharing examples of good practices on integrating gender in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans.
At last they learned about Gender segregated data collection and gender analysis for evidence-based policy making though experience shared in collection of gender segregated data and gender analysis in small arms and light weapons (SALW) control policy implementation in South East Europe.
UNDP SEESAC has a strong longstanding experience in supporting gender equality in security sector reform processes in South East Europe/Western Balkans through various activities.
In 2010, UNDP SEESAC supported the establishment of the Women Police Officers Network in South East Europe (WPON) advancing gender equality in police services. This resulted in increased visibility of women police officers, increased capacities of police services for gender sensitive policing though development and implementation of Guidelines for gender sensitive policing and establishment of local level women police associations.
In 2012 the Ministries of Defences in the Western Balkans requested UNDP SEESAC to support in the practical implementation of UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security and gender equality in the military.
During 2018-2021 UNDP SEESAC is implementing the second phase of the Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans at the request and in close cooperation with Ministries of Defense and Armed Forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The project facilitates regional cooperation and provides support for measures that contribute to better recruitment, retention and professional development of women in the military and the integration of gender perspective in military training and education.
Since 2019 UNDP SEESAC in close cooperation with Governments in the Western Balkans is supporting the implementation of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap, by placing specific importance to the advancement of gender equality and the impact that the use and possession of firearms have on women, men, boys and girls. The document was developed based on a gender analysis of SALW/firearms control in the region and reinforces its key recommendations.
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