Armed Forces: Gender and Defence Reform Cover Image

Armed Forces: Gender and Defence Reform
Armed Forces: Gender and Defence Reform

Author(s): Selma Ćosić
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Security and defense, Social differentiation
Published by: Sarajevo Open Centre
Keywords: gender; security; armed forces; defence reform; BiH;
Summary/Abstract: A national security system is inevitable, and it is even one of the key elements of every state. Its fundamental goal is to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political order from danger, both from outside (external security), and inside (internal security). The question is what is the role and status of women in the security system, in this case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, how big is their contribution to the preservation of a degree of security of the state? Statistical data indicates that very few women are present in politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in State bodies which make decisions on security matters, and very few of them participate in decision-making bodies, or in the security system of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is still regarded as a “male sphere” of action.