Role of Women in Defence and Security Sector Promoted in Banja Luka

(Patria) - In order to promote the role of women in the defence and security sector, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted a promotional meeting of female and male members of the AF BiH and security services in Banja Luka today.

The main host of the event was the Minister of Defence of BiH, Zukan Helez, with the patron participation of the UN Resident Coordinator in BiH, Ingrid Macdonald, and the Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, Brigadier General Pamela McGaha.

Honoured guests included the Deputy Chiefs of the Joint Staff of the AF BiH, Major Generals Gojko Knežević, and the Inspector General of the MoD BiH, Brigadier General Mirsad Ahmić. The meeting was also attended by the Parliamentary Military Ombudsman, Boško Šiljegović.

The meeting was organized to encourage greater affirmation and networking of women in responsible and leadership positions, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security," which promotes gender equality, improving the status and increasing the representation of women in defence and security institutions and organizations, defining the best methods for achieving gender equality in the armed forces structures, as well as promoting gender equality in international peacekeeping operations.

- As the Minister of Defence, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, and previously as a Member of Parliament, I cannot help but notice how many educated, capable, and enterprising women we have, yet very few are in positions beyond some mid-level career stage. We must change this.

We want to respect UN quotas for participation in the system, have more women in missions, more women in military diplomacy and command positions, and in all other sectors. This should be strived for, creating a legal framework nationally and institutionally to ensure quotas for women in responsible and leadership positions - said Helez in his address.

General McGaha emphasized that the best people from all walks of life are needed to serve in defence, law enforcement, intelligence, and civil protection, so that these institutions are capable of responding to the wide range of citizens' security needs, whenever necessary.

- Thank you for being here today to recognize the women who have chosen a career as peacekeepers and guardians of security in BiH. I am very encouraged that the highest leadership values equal opportunities in the security field.

This is certainly demonstrated by their initiatives to recruit and retain the most talented personnel, from all constituent peoples and regardless of gender. We are here for you to network, strengthen your contacts, and encourage each other on your professional development path - concluded McGaha.

Ambassador Macdonald noted that women in Bosnia and Herzegovina have historically been and continue to be drivers of many positive achievements, and that they play an important role in efforts for social cohesion and peacebuilding across the country.

- However, despite years of efforts to implement the 'Women, Peace and Security' agenda, women continue to face exclusion from peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and decision-making at all levels.

In the past 10 years, the MoD BiH has increased the number of women in the AF BiH to 11 percent female soldiers and seven percent female officers. While this is important progress, there is still room for increasing these numbers.

I hope that events like this will help encourage more women to participate and take leadership roles in the Armed Forces, and to participate in UN peacekeeping missions - emphasized Macdonald.

Following the introductory remarks, the participants shared their experiences and discussed opportunities for further professional career advancement in the defence and security sector in BiH.