SEESAC’s New Policy Brief on Gender Perspective in the Defence Sector Reform in the Western Balkans is Out

SEESAC Policy Brief Contributing to Resilience Through The Integration of Gender Perspective in the Defence Sector Reform in Four Countries of The Western Balkans has been published UNDP’s ‘Development Futures Series’.

This policy brief describes the process of regional collaboration in drafting the 2nd regional Study, The Position of Women in the Armed Forces in the Western Balkans (the 2nd Regional Study) and outlines key findings. The 2nd Regional Study was prepared by the Ministries of Defence (MoDs) of the four WB countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia) with SEESAC support. While the focus is on the WB region, lessons learned through the process of regional cooperation and knowledge exchange can be used in different contexts to increase resilience through engagement with the MoDs and AFs on promoting  gender equality in the institutions that are mandated to safeguard the human security. In order to act in a gender-responsive way, the institutions themselves have to transform to incorporate the gender perspective. The first step starts with opening the door to women’s participation in the military.

The brief was produced within the second phase of the Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans project, which provides support for mainstreaming gender in the security sector reform, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The project is financially supported by Governments of Norway and Slovakia.

Back