4th Meeting of Gender Equality Mechanisms of Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans

Representatives of Gender Equality Mechanisms (GEMs) in the Ministries of Defence (MoDs) from the Western Balkans (WB) met in Sarajevo on 29-30 October 2013 in an effort to further strengthen regional cooperation on gender equality in defense.  The meeting is a regular activity implemented under the “Gender Equality in the Military" Project. 

During two days of intense work, sixteen (16) representatives of MoDs and Armed Forces (AFs) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia exchanged information on activities implemented by their respective institutions since the last regional meeting which was held in June 2013, and with the aim to strengthen gender perspectives in defense.

The role gender equality mechanisms themselves have in the process of integrating gender perspectives in their respective institutions was one of the themes for discussion.  This topic was of a particular interest because of the different ways in which the institution of GEM is set up in each of the four countries.

Specific attention during the fourth regional meeting was also given to the development of the Regional Basic Gender Awareness Train-the-Trainers (ToT) curriculum as well as the supporting course for the representatives of MODs and AFs in the Western Balkans.  

The aim of the regional ToT course is to create a regional pool of trainers who will deliver gender awareness courses in the armed forces at national level.

The regional basic gender awareness course will be developed by the Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans and with the support of the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM). The gender awareness course will be tailored to meet the needs and requirements of MoDs and AFs in the Western Balkans. The goal of the activity is to increase gender awareness of military personnel in the Western Balkans.

Guest experts from the NCGM and NATO HQ in Sarajevo provided more invaluable insight and experience with training programs for gender trainers, which they have themselves developed and successfully rolled out. 

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.