3rd Meeting of Gender Equality Mechanisms of Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans

- photos are the courtesy of MoD RS

- photos are the courtesy of MoD RS

- photos are the courtesy of MoD RS

- photos are the courtesy of MoD RS

- photos are the courtesy of MoD RS

Representatives of Gender Equality Mechanisms in the Ministries of Defence (MoDs) from the Western Balkans (WB) met in Belgrade on 25-26 June 2013 in an effort to foster regional cooperation on gender equality in defence.  The meeting is a regular activity under the “Gender Equality in the Military" Project.


During two days of intense work, representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia exchanged information and lessons learned on their ongoing efforts to advance the gender perspective in their respective militaries. The meeting also provided a platform and opportunity to discuss joint activities and possible synergies. 


The Belgrade event was the third such meeting and focused specifically on the recruitment and integration of higher numbers of qualified and motivated women into the system. Since the numbers of female military personnel is still relatively low, particularly in command and management positions, SEESAC has been supporting the Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans in their on-going efforts to create a more conducive environment for the advancement of women in the military.

The meeting agenda also included a discussion on possible future joint efforts in gender sensitisation. Meeting participants presented existing MoD’s efforts to increase gender awareness of military personnel and discussed the possibility of establishing a regional pool of trainers.

Discussions were further enriched by interventions from experts. Guests from the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM) and the Spanish-Dutch Initiative on Gender in Operations provided more insight and experience with training programs for gender trainers which they have developed and successfully rolled out.

The Third Regional Meeting was an opportunity for SEESAC to present the newly developed on-line knowledge platform, which will facilitate exchange and information sharing. This secure space will not only enable MoDs to share relevant policies and knowledge tools, but will also provide access to relevant documents developed within the project, policy papers, meeting agendas, power point presentations as well as access to materials collected by participants attending various specialized trainings.

 

ABOUT SEESAC’s “GENDER EQUALITY IN THE MILITARY” PROJECT

SEESAC's Gender Equality in the Military project aims to create a more conducive environment for the advancement of women in the military in the Western Balkans. With this as its goal, SEESAC is supporting the Ministries of Defense in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia in their efforts to ensure better integration, retention and professional development for women in the armed forces as well as stronger participation of women in decision-making and gender sensitive change in their organizational cultures.