International Conference "Gender Equality in Defence System - Accomplishments and Trends" in Belgrade

A two-day international conference, Gender Equality in Defence System - Accomplishments and Trends, took place in Belgrade on 13 and 14 October 2015.  Dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 - Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325), the conference was organized by Strategic Institute for Research of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic Serbia with UNDP SEESAC support.

The conference gathered over 40 participants from the MoDs and Armed Forces (AFs), independent institutions, universities, international and civil society organizations from South East Europe and other European countries. The conference enabled sharing of knowledge and experience in mainstreaming gender equality in defence systems, and the analysis of trends and accomplishments. Topics discussed included the role of institutions and organizations in implementing UNSCR 1325; the role of gender perspective in military missions, in particular multinational operations; experiences from the Western Balkan in implementing UNSCR 1325; the academic approach to the inclusion of gender perspective in defence polices; the role of media in prevention of Gender Based Violence; inclusion of gender equality in military education; and implementation of UNSCR 1325 at the local level.

SEESAC’s Gender Equality in the Military project presented its work on gender sensitization in the Armed Forces in the Western Balkans in a panel addressing the role of institutions and organizations, highlighting results made by the Regional Network of Gender Trainers in the MoDs and AFs. So far, the trainers delivered gender awareness seminars and briefs to more than 3,000 officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and civilians.

In addition to this, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia presented the Gender Training Manual that was developed as part of the Project. The Manual was developed to assist gender trainers and other educators in developing and delivering gender awareness seminars in the MoD and Serbian Armed Forces (SAF). The Manual was developed by MoD and SAF gender instructors with the support of SEESAC and represents the first Manual of this kind in the Ministry and the SAF.

Reviewing progress since 2006, when the first conference “Women in Military” was organized, Dr. Jovanka Šaranović, Director of the Strategic Research Institute and Gender Advisor to the Minister of Defence emphasized in her opening remarks that there has been a significant progress in increasing the number of women in the SAF. Women make 20% of cadets at the Military Academy in Serbia and this year’s three best graduates were women for the first time.

The MOD and the SAF have done a lot to reduce barriers for achieving gender equality, as well as to increase the number of women and enable their professional advancement in the MoD and SAF, Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Janković told at opening of the conference.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Irena Vojáčková-Sollorano, emphasized the importance of the newly launched UN Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) which include gender equality as one of the prerequisites for achieving progress and democracy. Cross sectoral and regional cooperation is essential for achieving gender equality, Vojackova – Sollorano added.

Rear Admiral Louise Dedichen, the Head of the Norwegian Defence University College, said in the key note address, that the Armed Forces ought to reflect the times, the people and the diversity in its society. The modern and relevant military organization also must embrace gender equality as an integrated part of the organization, and reflect the perspectives and values of both men and women.  Women are allowed in all military positions and combat units in Norway from 1985 and from 2014, Norway is the first European country in which military service is compulsory for men and women.

About THE GENDER EQUALITY IN THE MILITARY PROJECT

SEESAC's Gender Equality in the Military: Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans 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 Defence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia in their efforts to ensure better integration, retention and professional development for women in the armed forces; stronger participation of women in decision-making; and gender sensitive change in their organizational cultures.