15.06.2016.

Closing Conference on Gender Equality in the Security System

In Belgrade’s Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel, today, implemented by UNDP SEESAC, the Closing Conference within the "Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans" Project which, apart from Serbia, is attended by representatives of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, which, apart from the participating countries and organizers, was attended by representatives of NATO, the Regional Cooperation Council, the diplomatic corps and donor countries, Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic stressed that the project is unique and highly successful example of regional cooperation, in which the partner countries, participating in joint activities and exchanging knowledge and experience in the field of gender equality, improved the good neighbourly and friendly relations, which is a special value.

- The aim of this event actually is to summarize the results achieved by joint efforts, as well as the challenges we faced in our efforts to

integrate the principles of gender equality in the defence system reform of our countries, Minister Djordjevic said and added that the results achieved undeniably contributed to greater efficiency of the security sector in the Western Balkans, which was the main goal of the project.

He confirmed that, in accordance with the stated goals, the support for the institutionalization of the competent structures for gender equality and the development of their capacities has been successfully implemented.

The Defence Minister also recalled that in our country the public consultation process on the content of the new National Action Plan for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security has been recently completed and it will continue until 2020. By its adoption, Serbia ranked among the states that take into consideration the importance of equal participation of men and women in preventing and resolving conflicts and promoting culture of permanent and sustainable peace, for the purpose of achieving gender equality standards.

Ms. Cihan Sultanoğlu, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS, thanked the Minister of Defence on support in the organization of the gathering and congratulated the delegations of the partner countries on the results achieved in the Support for Gender Mainstreaming in the Armed Forces Project.

- Collaboration is the driving force of development and condition for the exchange of knowledge in the field of gender equality. Security sector institutions have the task to be representative of the society they serve, and that is not possible without greater participation of women in the security sector, Sultanoğlu said and reminded that the awareness of gender issues must be incorporated into all aspects of the security sector.

Speaking about the practical aspects of the project, she pointed out that women in the military do not want to be less expected from, and that the tasks in that system should be delegated according to the capabilities and not according to the gender. High guests called for further work in this field, so that the results, as she noted, of a very successful project, could be sustainable and implemented in everyday practice.

At the Opening Conference, the speakers about the experiences and the importance of consistent implementation of the principle of

gender equality in the security sector, were Marina Pendes, Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marija Rashkovska, State Adviser of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, as well as Marriët Schuurman, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security.

On the eve of the opening of the Conference, which has continued the work in the panels, Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic had a bilateral meeting with Cihan Sultanoglu, during which the senior officials exchanged views on the integration of gender equality and the defence reform in Serbia.