Since the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in year 2000, NATO has recognised the disproportionate impact that conflict has on women and girls, the vital roles women play in peace and security, and the importance of incorporating gender perspectives in everything that the Alliance does.
This week, in partnership with Kosovo NATO Advisory and Liaison Team and Kosovo Gender Advisor office, NATO HQ Sarajevo is taking part in the International Forum for Women, Peace and Security in Pristina, in order to contribute to the important discussion on the integration of women into the defence and security sector.
Photo: NATO Headquarters Sarajevo.
Speaking at the panel titled: “Ensuring Protection for Women Human Rights Defenders in times of conflict”, NHQSa Legal Advisor, Dario Šikuljak, shared our ongoing work to support the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina as they work to update their policies and refurbish facilities to raise standards for all military personnel.
In order to build an environment conducive to the defence of rights, States need to regularly review the adequacy of laws, policies, regulations and enforcement issues as reflected in the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur. At NHQSa we have embraced that approach, working alongside our BiH Defence and Security sector counterparts to promote the WPS agenda in Bosnia & Herzegovina. It’s one of our success stories that evidences the continuous upgrading of regulatory and enforcement mechanisms from which other states could draw inspiration,
Sikuljak said.
The WPS Forum brings together leaders, experts, academics, civil society representatives and other groups of interest to ensure that the voices of women are amplified and their contributions are recognized through their direct inclusion in decision-making processes across the Western Balkans.