How to boost gender responsiveness of security sector? - SEESAC delivered a two-day training to gender focal points of the Ministry of Security BIH

25 - 26 January 2021

Twelve members of the recently established Gender Equality Coordination Board of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the two-day online capacity building training. 

The training, delivered by SEESAC upon the request of the Ministry of Security, aimed to present practical strategies for mainstreaming gender security sector reform, as well as hands-on experience in integrating the gender perspective into small arms control. In addition, a growing convergence between the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and small arms control was addressed.

During the training, participants discussed intensively the role that gender perspective plays across security sector and how its consistent and meaningful is a precondition that women and men equally benefit from public policies. The participants also had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with SEESAC activities in mainstreaming gender in security sector reform, implemented in cooperation with ministries of defence and armed forces in the region. On the second day, a case study on mainstreaming gender in small arms control in Bosnia and Herzegovina was presented.

The participants discussed gender aspects of small arms, the gender-differentiated effects of firearms misuse on women and men, the misuse of firearms in domestic violence and the role of dominant gender norms in fueling the demand for firearms and shaping the risk-taking behaviors. Based on this case study, a broader discussion was initiated covering topics such as the use of data for evidence-based policymaking, institutional resources required for gender mainstreaming as well as strategies to overcome mapped challenges in this process.

The training is designed to support the government in fulfilling their commitments to advance gender equality and contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

The training is organized within the European Union Council Decision 2019/2111/CFSP, adopted on 9 December 2019, in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South East Europe reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition.