Alexandra Gatto, Political Advisor on Human Rights and Gender at the EU Delegation/ EUSR Office, addressed the audience at a conference on “Gender in the Defence Sector” organized by EUFOR that took place in Camp Butmir on 10 March.  She outlined the EU’s comprehensive approach  on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325  on Women, Peace and Security and related resolution 1820 reflecting on the EU’s agenda on Women, Peace and Security.  Representatives of the Armed Forces of BiH, Peace Support Operations Training Centre and EUFOR were also amongst the speakers. Gender Focal points of BiH Armed Forces attended the event.

She underlined  that there is an ever increasing recognition within CSDP of the importance and the added strategic and operational value of incorporating gender issues in all phases of planning, conduct and review of civilian and military crisis management missions and operations as well as in pre-deployment and in-mission training. Where possible, the EU aims to include a dedicated human rights and/or gender adviser or focal point for each CSDP mission and operation.  In line with the EU’s agenda on  Women, Peace and Security, the EU has been assisting the implementation of the BiH Gender Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 and the appointment of Gender Focal Points in the area of security and defence through the IPA programme ” Support to Law Enforcement in BiH”.