Regional Baseline Study on Women in the Armed Forces Finalized

On 24-25 September 2013, the regional working group tasked with developing the Baseline Study on the Position of Women in the Armed Forces in the Western Balkans held its third and final meeting in Belgrade.

Two intensive days of work resulted in the finalized text of the Study, which encapsulates the current position of women in the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The aim was to collect regionally comparable data and formulate joint recommendations. Obtaining such a baseline is essential for setting human resource policies that attract more qualified female candidates to the military profession and ensure that those that join are given equal career development prospects as their male colleagues.

The Baseline Study is a ground breaking joint endeavor of the four Ministries of Defence which have themselves developed the survey methodology, collected the data, reviewed the results and formulated joint recommendations. The process was facilitated by SEESAC under the Gender Equality in the Military project.

ABOUT THE GENDER EQUALITY IN THE MILITARY PROJECT

SEESAC's project Gender Equality in the Military is assisting Ministries of Defense in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia 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.