READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW
GENDER ADVISING AT HQ ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS – A SUCCESS STORY ?
Capt Nina Schommers ( DEU-A )
Adopting a gender perspective means considering the socially constructed attributes of men , women , boys and girls , thus taking the entire population into account , whilst recognising their differences . The point to prove is that the implementation of gender perspective into the planning and conduct of military operations will have a positive effect on immediate , and more importantly long term , mission success .
officer . The focus of the GENAD , however , is directed outward . He or she observes the behaviour and the effects of a military unit in its assigned area of operations . GENADs focus on the civilian population in theatre , not on equality and equal rights within HQ ARRC or NATO Forces .
“ Women ’ s participation in global security isn ’ t a favour to women . There can be no lasting peace without equal inclusion of both men and women .” ( Secretary General Stoltenberg , 2016 ).
Diversity - Representatives from 11 NATO headquarters , 12 nations , soldiers and civilians came together to discuss the integration of the Gender Perspective within NATO
For this purpose , the position of Gender Advisor ( GENAD ) at HQ ARRC was introduced in 2014 . During peacetime establishment , the GENAD position is a part-time job which becomes a full-time position in exercises and missions , as staff numbers are increased . A GENAD is the point of contact for the commander when it comes to gender-specific issues during missions .
Viewing operations from a different angle turned out to be a real necessity for HQ ARRC for the first time in 2015 , when it assumed its role as a Joint Task Force . At the moment , the most important job of the GENAD at HQ ARRC is to raise awareness for gender-related issues . This includes clarifying the term and its impact on the conduct of operations . HQ ARRC follows the NATO guidelines on the subject and has now firmly established its position as both an advocate and a pioneer in the field of gender at the highest tactical level .
Why is the Integration of the Gender Perspective Important for HQ ARRC ?
Often , the GENAD is associated or even confused with an equal opportunities
It is a fact that wars have different effects on men , women and children . All too often , conflicts cause great harm to the civilian population , especially to those who are particularly vulnerable . Genderbased crimes such as mass or gang rapes , trafficking of women and girls , slave trade , forced marriages and the recruitment of child soldiers are often used as warfare strategies . This is why they have to be assessed as part of the enemy situation , just like the type , strength and behaviour of the enemy forces .
NATO has officially applied the gender perspective since 2009 . The work is based on NATO ’ s Bi-SC Directive 40-1 (“ Integrating UNSCR 1325 and Gender Perspectives in the NATO Command Structure Including Measures for Protection during Armed Conflict ”). The directive determines that the gender
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