Women in the Service of Security in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Women in the Service of Security in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Denis Hadžović, Mirela Hodović, Benjamin Plevljak
Contributor(s): Sanjin Hamidičević (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics, Gender Studies, Security and defense
Published by: Centar za Sigurnosne Studije
Keywords: BiH; security; service; women; gender; 2017;
Summary/Abstract: Dear readers, The essence of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 is that women should be fully and equally involved in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security. The Resolution urges nations around the world to increase the involvement of women in addressing conflict and establishing and maintaining peace. It demands that gender perspectives be incorporated into peace and security efforts and that special protection be afforded to women and girls in situations of armed conflict. The implementation of Resolution 1325 is fundamental to our pursuit of security and stability. I have had the personal privilege of supporting the implementation of UNSCR 1325 through service at Canada‟s Permanent Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and as Canada‟s Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. I was honoured to work alongside dedicated women and men who worked tirelessly to ensure that women are not only present in the room but also have a seat at the head-table when it comes to the promotion and maintenance of peace and security in all their aspects and at all levels. While much progress has been achieved since the adoption of UNSCR 1325, there is still so much work to be done. I am continually troubled by the vulnerability of women and girls living in conflict zones, by the deep trauma imprinted on the minds and bodies of the survivors of gender-based violence, by the impunity of perpetrators of war crimes, and by the slow pace of change and our collective failure to protect the most vulnerable individuals. But I know that things can be different, and that is why I am very pleased that Canada helped profile inspirational female leaders working in Bosnia and Herzegovina‟s security sector through a fruitful cooperation with the Center for Security Studies. Through such initiatives, our objective is to maintain our focus on continuing to make immediate progress in implementing UNSCR 1325 while also inspiring future generations to get involved. Increasing women‟s involvement in the security sector supports our broader work toward peace, prosperity and sustainable development. The Government of Canada has for a long time prioritized gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, and the advancement of their human rights. Our focus on these issues has only increased under Prime Minister Trudeau, who has sent strong signals of his own conviction by appointing a gender-balanced cabinet and making clear that he considers himself a feminist. Canada is committed to working with the international community to ensure that girls and women around the world have the opportunity to live healthy, secure and empowered lives. Should more women be involved in the security sector in general? Absolutely. More women should be involved in the security sector, and they should be involved in every possible way. UNSCR 1325 sets a lofty but achievable goal of equal participation and full involvement. This means more women working as police officers, more women as judges, more women as peace negotiators, and more women responding to humanitarian crisis. It is about enabling and empowering women to be decision-makers on issues of national security. It is about never forgetting our obligation to protect the most vulnerable segments of society, including women and girls. The bottom line is that UNSCR 1325 is about making the world a more peaceful and secure place. For young girls and women who are planning to build their professional career in this security sector, what is important is to believe in themselves and to find support in their own environment – be it within their family circle or throughout their studies. This is what I try to provide to my own five-year old daughter, so that she knows that the sky is the limit. I hope you will enjoy reading this brochure and be inspired by it!

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