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Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans Reaffirm Dedication to Advancing Gender Equality

The Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans reaffirmed their commitment to advancing gender equality in the security and defence sector at a high-level regional conference held on 24 September in Budva. Organized by the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro, the conference marked the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325) and was convened as a follow-up to the regional project “Strengthening Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans”, implemented by SEESAC.

The event provided a platform for participating Ministries of Defence to reflect on the achievements of the project, including strengthened regional cooperation on gender perspectives in the defence sector, greater representation of women in defence systems and military operations, the introduction of evidence-based policymaking through gender-sensitive data, and enhanced leadership capacities across the region.

Opening the conference, the Minister of Defence of Montenegro, Dragan Krapović, underlined the significance of UNSCR 1325 as a vital instrument for empowering women in post-conflict societies and enhancing their role in stability and democracy. He stressed the importance of agreeing on “concrete and sustainable measures that will advance gender equality policies and strengthen regional and international cooperation.”

High-level participants included Mr. Siniša Radović, Deputy Minister of Defence for Human Resources of the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Aleksandar Goganović, Deputy Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and a delegation from the Ministry of Defence of North Macedonia. Other speakers included representatives of NATO, OSCE, UNDP SEESAC, and other relevant institutions in Montenegro, such as the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Security Agency, and the Parliament of Montenegro. The active participation of national institutions, alongside international partners, civil society, and academia, underscored a shared regional determination to strengthen human rights, promote gender equality, and safeguard achievements in this vital area.

The conference featured three interactive panels with discussions focusing on:

  • Leadership and accountability in the implementation of UNSCR 1325
  • Women’s roles in military and security missions
  • Multisectoral cooperation and collaboration among government, civil society, and international partners

Participants highlighted the direct and lasting impact of the regional project, which increased awareness of gender equality and provided concrete tools and practices, such as leadership development programmes and gender-sensitive policy frameworks, that have become embedded in the work of the Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans.

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