Security Sector Institutions in North Macedonia Enhance Knowledge on Gender Perspective in SALW Control

At the request of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of North Macedonia, UNDP SEESAC organised a Seminar on Gender Perspective in Small Arms and Light Weapons Control on Thursday, 3 November 2022. The training that took place in Skopje gathered seventeen participants from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, Crisis Management Center and the Protection and Rescue Directorate.

The widespread availability and misuse of small arms continue to pose severe threats to peace and security.

SEESAC is supporting the governments from the region in developing numerous signature solutions rooted in strong partnerships, local ownership, research, and regional cooperation aimed at combating arms trafficking, reducing armed violence and promoting gender equality - preconditions for the overall development of the region.

The aim of the seminar organized in Skopje, is to increase knowledge on prevention and protection from misuse of small arms and light weapons with gender perspective and thus increase capacities of security sector institutions. It will also contribute to the strategic goal 4 of the 2nd National Action Plan for Implementation of the UNSCR 1325 Women, Peace and Security in North Macedonia (2020 – 2025).

During the seminar, its participants learned about the relevant concepts of gender equality and gender mainstreaming as tools for achieving gender equality in line with Sustainable Development Goals and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. They also discussed linkages between gender and small arms, how gender norms and roles shape demand, ownership, use and misuse of firearms, as well as the relevant national and international legal and policy frameworks.

This activity was implemented within the Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans project and is financed by the Governments of Norway and the Slovak Republic. With the support of SEESAC, the project provides the Ministries of Defence and the Armed Forces from the Western Balkans a platform where, over the period of three years, they work together to ensure long-term and sustainable inclusion of the gender perspective in defence policies and practices, contributing to accountable and responsive institutions and inclusive societies (SDG 16) and gender equality (SDG 5).

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