Study Visit to Spain – Strengthening of Gender-Responsiveness of Human Resources Policies

SEESAC’s Gender Equality in the Military project organized a study visit to the Military Observatory for Gender Equality in the Ministry of Defence of Spain on 17 September 2015 for nine representatives of the Human Resources Sector of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic of Serbia and Human Resources Department of the Serbian Armed Forces (SAF).

The aim of the visit, hosted by the Permanent Secretariat of the Observatory was to learn about the Spanish model of gender-sensitive human resources policy development. Strengthening of gender perspective of human resources policies and practices is an essential part in ensuring better integration of women in the military.

The study visit enabled Serbian MoD and SAF participants to gain knowledge about human resources data collection in the Spanish MoD and AFs, including analysis and reporting with specific focus on the practical use of the data for development of work-life balance polices.

In addition to this, Serbia’s representatives shared their achievements in the implementation of the the National Action Plan for Implementation of UNSCR 1325, as well as results in the development of gender responsive human resources polices that attract and retain more women in the SAF.

This study visit comes as a follow up to a two-day workshop on gender analysis, organized on 10-11 September to strengthen the participants’ capacities in developing, evaluating and monitoring gender responsive human resources polices.

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 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; stronger participation of women in decision-making; and gender sensitive change in their organizational cultures.