The Development of a Gender Training Manual for the Serbian MoD and AF Continues

The second workshop dedicated to developing a Gender Training Manual for the Serbian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Armed Forces (AF) was held on 25 September 2014 in Belgrade. The Gender Training Manual is developed by the gender instructors of the MoD and AF responsible for designing, developing, and delivering gender sensitization activities in their respective institutions – with UNDP/SEESAC’s support. The Manual is envisaged to serve as a tool for successfully implementing future gender awareness trainings within the MoD and AF.

Organized under the auspices of UNDP/SEESAC’s Gender Equality in the Military project, the workshop was the second in a series of three. It built on the work achieved and conclusions reached during the first workshop held on 24 July 2014.

Eight (8) certified gender trainers from both the MoD and AF participated in the workshop, and agreed on the next steps and deadlines for the finalization of the Manual.

One of the crucial aspects of the Gender Manual is that it will provide examples of what the inclusion of a gender perspective means for the everyday work of both institutions. Furthermore, the Manual is expected to target a very specific audience and to present the most practical and efficient manners in which the trainings on gender equality in their working environment should be carried out.

During the workshop, the Gender Trainers provided comments on the First Draft of the Manual which was developed based on their inputs. The Manual is planned to cover some basic definitions of gender, gender roles, gender stereotypes, and gender-based discrimination. It will also elaborate on the importance of gender equality polices, along with their application to the MoD and AF working practices. Last but not least, the Manual will outline the legislative framework for gender equality in Serbia.

Dr. Jovanka Saranović, Director of the Strategic Research Institute, and Gender Adviser to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, opened the workshop. She acknowledged the importance of the Gender Manual for the Gender Trainers as well as for other educators in the MoD and AF who are also delivering trainings and education seminars on gender equality.

Gender trainers in the Serbian MoD and Serbian Armed Forces are part of the regional network of certified gender trainers established in March 2014 as the result of the Regional Gender Train-the-Trainers Course delivered by the Nordic Center for Gender in Military Operations. The regional network of gender trainers was established with the aim to plan, develop, and conduct gender-awareness courses in their respective institutions.

ABOUT THE GENDER EQUALITY IN THE MILITARY PROJECT

SEESAC’s Gender Equality in the Military project aims to create a more conductive environment for the advancement of women in the military in the Western Balkans. Within 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 effort 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.

For regular updates on SEESAC’s WinMil project, be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.