Data-Driven Change: 9th Regional Meeting of Gender Military Trainers

Continuing the years-long cooperation and exchange of relevant information and practices on gender equality, the Regional Network of Gender Military Trainers in the Ministries of Defence (MoD) and the Armed Forces (AFs) in the Western Balkans met in Sokobanja, Serbia, on 18-19 September, for the 9th time since the Network’s establishment in 2014. A total of 18 representatives from MoDs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, and the Republic of Serbia gathered for a two-day meeting that centered on knowledge sharing and the importance of gender-segregated data in research.  

The meeting led to interactive and fruitful discussions on how better gender-segregated data collection practices contributed to more gender-sensitive procurement processes and equal professional opportunities for both men and women. Given the importance of such data - from the procurement of fitting military equipment to creating equal professional opportunities for women and men to advance in their ranking - the trainers identified gaps in current systems but also shared successful practice while recognizing the need to continue to advocate for and improve their existing data collection practices.

Building on the debates, from the 8th regional meeting, on gender-inclusive response to climate-induced disasters amid the increase in natural and human made-disaster disasters, the trainers were presented with a set of suggestive guidelines developed by UNDP SEESAC. Recognizing the role of the AFs in a region with shared geography and climate-induced security risks, the gender military trainers echoed the important role of the AFs and their potential for furthering regional cooperation in gender-inclusive response to climate-induced disasters.  

The Regional Meetings of Gender Equality Trainers in the Ministries of Defence and the Armed Forces in the Western Balkans are organized through the “Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans” project financed by the governments of Norway and the Slovak Republic. With the support of SEESAC, the project provides the MoDs and AFs in the Western Balkans with a platform to share knowledge and develop policies to ensure long-term and sustainable inclusion of the gender perspective.