Advanced Seminar on Gender Equality Held for Teaching Staff at Serbia’s Military Academy

As part of its regional project Gender Equality in the Military (WinMil), SEESAC organized an Advanced Seminar on Gender Equality for the teaching staff of the Serbian Military Academy.  Held in Belgrade on June 26, 2014, the seminar focused on Gender, Strategies for Achieving Gender Equality, and Security Sector Reform. Participating in the seminar were 17 members of the Military Academy teaching staff from different departments.

The seminar was opened by Col. Esben Aass, Defence Attaché of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade; and Col. Miloljub Sretenović, Head of the Military Academy Secretariat.

Col. Aass pointed out that gender equality concerns both genders and is crucial for all segments of society – including the military. In addition, Col. Aass noted that in Norway, military conscription is mandatory for both men and women, enabling them to serve on an equal basis.

Col. Sretenović highlighted the importance of gender equality for the Military Academy as well as the defence system in the Republic of Serbia. He also remarked that there is a very high interest in the Military Academy among women, and that they made up 14.5% of admitted cadets this year. Additionally, Col. Sretenović informed those present that this year also saw the first instance of girls being admitted to the Military High School.

The teaching staff actively participated in the seminar exercises and showed great interest - especially in topics related to gender-based discrimination, and integrating gender perspective in Security Sector Reform. In their evaluations, participants expressed that the seminar had increased their knowledge on gender equality and that more seminars need to be organized for the teaching and management staff of the Military Academy in the future. Furthermore, they appreciated the opportunity to have a candid discussion with the instructors.

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ABOUT THE 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. SEESAC also works to foster women’s participation in decision-making, as well as gender sensitive change in the organizational culture of the military.