Integrating a gender perspective in military education and training in the defence systems of the Western Balkan countries: The Regional Baseline Study

Defence systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia are committed to gender equality.2 All four countries have laws on gender equality, strategies for achieving gender equality, action plans for implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 13253 , and institutional mechanisms for implementing policies and laws related to gender equality and preventing gender-based discrimination.

The Regional Baseline Study - Integrating a Gender Perspective in Military Education and Training in the Defence Systems of the Western Balkan Countries represents confirmation of the unambiguous determination of the MoDs to ensure respect for the principles of gender equality through their proactive approach. Adherence to those principles is an integral part of the security system reform. It is also an essential prerequisite for the readiness of the Armed Forces (hereinafter: AFs) to respond to the complex security challenges facing humanity in the 21st century.

The Regional Baseline Study is a shared knowledge resource that provides an overview of the attained level of gender mainstreaming in military education and training in four defence systems. Competent representatives of the MoDs and AFs jointly initiated and conducted the data gathering and research with the support of the UNDP SEESAC team, using their knowledge and experience enriched by the regional knowledge exchange. The goal of regional cooperation in this area is to improve policies and practices in military education and training, which is of critical importance for the sustainability of the overall action on promoting gender equality in defence systems.