On 5 December at the Peace Keeping Ministerial Meeting in Accra, Ghana, a side-event was organized by Sweden as Chair of the WPS CHODs Network together with the UN Department of Peace Operations, on ”Enhancing Women’s Participation in UN Peacekeeping: The Role of Gender-responsive Leaders”. The purpose of the side-event was to exchange best practices to enable recruitment and retainment of women, but also to strengthen the discussion on the WPS Agenda on the highest level.

Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix opened the meeting, stressing that women´s participation in United Nations Peace operations was a necessity to succeed and leaders carry a strong responsibility as role models. Barriers that prevent the recruitment of women and their carrier opportunities must be abolished. On operations, the use of METs (mixed-engagement teams) were of high value, for example in order to improve information gathering to ensure appropriate situational awareness. Despite substantial efforts, only approximately 7% of uniformed peace keepers are women. This must increase, e. g. through providing adequate infrastructure for men and women on operations, support networks for dialogue for female peace keepers and through campaigning and training.

Swedish Armed Forces Chief Joint Operations, Lt Gen Carl-Johan Edström, was the Key Note Speaker on behalf of Swedish CHOD General Micaael Bydén, who with short notice unfortunately was not able to participate. Before the meeting, General Bydén discussed his statement´s main focus with the members of the WPS CHODs Network Executive Committee Jamaica, Ireland and Bangladesh.

Lt Gen Edström´s full speech:

Esteemed Ministers,
Distinguished Generals, Excellencies,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we gather here today to reflect on the remarkable journey of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, I am deeply moved by the commitment made 23 years ago by the
Security Council through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1325. This historic moment marked the international recognition of the indispensable role women play in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding. The resolution was a collective pledge to ensure that women and girls are not only considered in prevention and protection efforts but are actively involved in shaping and participating in peace processes. Over the years, this commitment has been embraced by over a hundred UN Member States, solidifying the WPS agenda as a pivotal element across various United Nations programs and efforts, including peacekeeping mandates and operations.

While celebrating the strides made in advancing the WPS agenda, it is crucial to acknowledge the challenges that persist and demand our unwavering attention. The latest report from the Secretary-General paints a concerning picture of negative trends regarding women’s participation in essential peace- and political processes. Despite the acknowledged benefits of having diverse police- and military contingents, the participation of women in multilateral peacekeeping efforts remains dishearteningly low. This stark reality compels us to introspect and recognize that the transformation we seek globally must begin within our own ranks. Armed Forces characterized by a lack of gender diversity impede the effective performance of peace operations. As leaders in the defense and security sectors, we carry a unique responsibility to ensure the robust implementation of WPS commitments and to pave the way for increased participation of women in our organizations.

Allow me to express my profound honor as I stand here, representing the Swedish Chairperson of the WPS Chief of Defense Network, General Micael Bydén, who, unfortunately, could not join us today. Since its inception in 2017, the Network has served as a unifying force, bringing together Chiefs of Defense from over 60 nations and organizations. Our common objective is to propel the WPS agenda forward within our defense forces. Having assumed the role of Chair in June, Sweden has been inspired by the dedication and collaborative spirit displayed by our Network colleagues. Chiefs of Defense and leaders within our respective organizations hold the ultimate responsibility to lead by example, translating our shared commitment into tangible actions. Allow me to delve deeper into key areas that demand the focused attention of the Network, coupled with practical tools for solutions. As leaders, we possess the influence to effect meaningful change.

Firstly, I advocate for the initiation of internal gender equality surveys within our organizations. These surveys should encompass various aspects of service life, including questions addressing discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment. Regular surveys, conducted anonymously, serve as a foundational tool, allowing us to gauge the organization’s current status, identify trends, and address areas of concern. This ongoing process ensures that our Armed Forces remain not only a formidable force but also an attractive and inclusive employer, fostering recruitment and retaining current personnel.
Secondly, we must actively confront and mitigate gender biases that undermine women’s opportunities. Recognizing that biases exist within us all, targeted training, seminars, and the expertise of Gender Advisors and Focal Points can collectively contribute to treating men and women equitably.
Thirdly, the establishment of structured feedback mechanisms and forums for both men and women in the Armed Forces is imperative. This cultivates a culture of open dialogue that goes beyond traditional hierarchies, enabling us to address barriers that hinder women’s full potential in serving their countries. Such forums, organized at different levels, should encourage reflection on how we, as leaders, can foster gender equality within our organizations.

Fourthly, promoting gender-responsive leadership training for all commanding officers is a cornerstone in developing effective leadership. Our commitment to this training ensures that leaders consistently reflect on gender issues, fostering an environment where diversity and inclusion are integral to decision-making processes. In Sweden, all high-ranking officers undergo gender responsiveness training, and many participate in Gender Coach Programs, which provide both group and individual sessions over several months.

Another critical action point is the elimination of unnecessary obstacles and prejudices in selection processes. This spans recruitment, career development, and promotion procedures. Implementing gender-neutral questionnaires for job applications and interviews, along with avoiding arbitrary standards that disqualify women from certain positions, is paramount. An illustrative example from Sweden involves a review of the conscript selection process, where adjustments were made to physical strength test requirements to ensure inclusivity without compromising the necessary competencies for relevant tasks.

The final area I wish to emphasize is the necessity to ensure that all personnel, regardless of gender, have access to fit-for-purpose equipment. Providing appropriately sized equipment, such as body armor, helmets, and weapons, acknowledges the unique needs of female soldiers, ensuring their safety and enhancing their ability to serve to their full potential. In the coming months, the Executive Committee of the Network, in collaboration with distinguished colleagues from Bangladesh, Ireland, and Jamaica, will continue to convene, exchanging ideas and best practices to further improve the areas I have outlined. Our aim is to make available tools and resources on the Network’s homepage, accessible to the public, to support the integration of gender perspectives and WPS commitments in the military.

In closing, I extend my sincere appreciation to the United Nations and Ghana for organizing and hosting this high-level event. My gratitude also goes to my counterparts for their unwavering commitment to the WPS CHOD Network. As leaders, we share a particular responsibility to hold each other accountable. Our actions must transcend rhetoric, exemplifying a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the highest echelons of leadership. By doing so, we not only inspire future generations but also strengthen our organizations by leveraging the unique skills, knowledge, and experiences of every individual.

Thank you for your attention, and I eagerly anticipate the enriching discussions today.

A panel with participants from the Netherlands MoD, Brigadier General Bolor Ganbold of Mongolia, Brigadier General Anita Asmah of Ghana and Deputy Army Commander and Chief of Staff, Major General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele from Zambia discussed national experiences, efforts and goals. It was noted that the number of women in Defence Forces must increase in order to improve participation in Peace Operations. Numbers were however not everything, but also their abiliy to conduct meaningful tasks msut be ensured. General Amash stated that Ghana has 17% women in its ranks and that this is reflected also in the international troop contributions. Zambia claimed to be the first country to deploy so-called FETs (Female Engagement Teams) in UN operations which was seen as “women as force multipliers”.

In the following discussion, nations ensured their strong support for the WPS Agenda and presented their contributions and efforts, including endorsing National Actions Plans. However, it was also mentioned that the implementation of the different Security Council Resolutions takes too long. The “Report of the Secretary-General on Women and Peace and Security, 28 Sept 2023 (S/2023/725)” was worrying, showing that women´s participation in peace processes actually have declined the latest years. Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, closed the meeting by informing about the Elsie initiative and Ghanas vice defence minister reiterated the countries engagement in this area and stressed that women´s participation in Peace Operations not only was a moral, but also a strategic, issue.

The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre LaCroix gave an opening speech when the Peace Keeping Ministerial in Ghana commenced, stressing the importance of Peace Operations but also the necessity to adjust and develop them in accordance with future requirements.

Chief Joint Operations of the Swedish Armed Forces, Lt Gen Carl-Johan Edström, replaced Swedish CHOD General Micael Bydén, the current Chairperson of the WPS CHODs Network.  As a Key Note Speaker, Lt Gen Edström high-lighted different issues of concern regarding women serving in Armed Forces.

The side-event aroused great interest with participants from all over the world.

The high level panel provided most insightful and valuable perspectives on a variety of gender equality aspects.

During the Peace Keeping Ministerial 5-6 December in Ghana´s capital Accra, a side-event will be organized on “Enhancing Women´s Participation in UN Peacekeeping: The Role of Gender-responsive Leaders.” The WPS CHOD Network is represented at the event with the current chair, Swedish CHOD General Micael Bydén, as Key Note Speaker. This will be an excellent opportunity to present the Network and for a multinational panel to highlight urgent issues on the WPS Agenda.

THE CHAIRMANSHIP HANDOVER-TAKEOVER CEREMONY OF WPS CHODs NETWORK – 2023

Bangladesh has handed over the Chair of WPS CHODs Network to the Supreme Commander of Swedish Armed Forces. The Chairmanship Handover-Takeover ceremony of WPS CHODs Network has taken place on 01 June 2023 in digital platform. Please find below the video of the programme:

Principal Staff Officer (PSO), Armed Forces Division (AFD) of Bangladesh, Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman is the current Chair of WPS Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) Network is almost nearing the end of his tenure since his assumption of the appointment on 08 February 2022 from Canadian Chief of Defence. As such, we intended to handover the Chair of WPS CHODs Network to the Supreme Commander of Swedish Armed Forces. The Chairmanship Handover-takeover ceremony of WPS CHODs Network is planned on 01 June 2023 in digital platform. The sequence of event is appended below.

The zoom link for virtual meeting will be shared soon.

Execution:

Date:   01 June 2023 (2000 hours BDT/1600 hours CEST/1400 hours UTC/1000 hours NYT)

Place:   Bangladesh and other member countries will connect via zoom.

Dress:  Uniform with ribbons

Publication:     Will be posted on WPS website.

Sequence of events:

1. Communication check with all concerns (one hour before start the meeting).
2. Introduction with an over view of ceremony (MC).
3. Short introduction of participating members.
4. Remarks of Chair of WPS CHODs Network (Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman) (5 minutes).
5. MC will turn over to the Swedish CHOD.
6. Remarks by Swedish CHOD, General Micael Bydén (5 minutes).
7. Open Discussion of WPS issue by member countries (if any).
8. MC will close the event.

WPS CHOD Network continues to be a platform to translate the WPS agenda from policy to military practice in war and peacetime. It gives me great honour to embark on such an important role as the new Chairman of WPS CHOD Network.

At the outset, I congratulate Canada and its armed forces for championing the cause of women and for the successful tenure as Chairman of WPS CHOD Network. Canada including UK and Bangladesh started the network, and Canada has done very commendable job after taking over the chairmanship of from UK in 2019. It has prepared WPS CHOD Network Charter. It also contributed tremendously to raise the number of member state of WPS CHOD Network from 39 to 56. I am taking the opportunity to personally thank General Wayne Eyre, Chief of Defence Staff of Canada and his incredible staff for their contributions to the development of the WPS CHOD Network.

As we all know, United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 established the Women Peace and Security (WPS) agenda on 31 October 2000. This is a great initiative in improving the quality of life of all, especially for women. Following that, the purpose of the WPS CHOD Network is to provide a collaborative platform for CHODs who have committed to advance the WPS agenda within their defence forces. This network supports their efforts to build internal capacity and expertise. The initiatives of this network is reflected in growing women participation and successes in UN PKO.

It is my sacred obligation to carry forward the legacy of previous chairmen and advance further. I would request all members of this network to be focused to implement respective National Action Plan. This year, Bangladesh Armed Forces have already conducted a national level workshop on WPS on 12 January 2022. We are planning to take this initiative further by hosting an international workshop in Bangladesh in 2022. We also have a plan to interact in the sidelines of the UN CHODs network in the UNHQ New York in October 2022. We would be particularly eager to increase our members and implement the WPS agenda further.

Our firm realization is that, integrating different understanding, experiences and capabilities of women in all aspects of UN peace operations is essential for success. Women participation is proved to be very effective in resolving conflict and bringing peace and harmony within the community. Therefore, we are determined to increase the female participation to fulfil the target set by UN.

I am certain, with our combined efforts, we shall be able to contribute more effectively for the peace in the globe better.

Canada turned over the Chair of the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) Chiefs of Defence (CHoDs) Network to Bangledesh during a virtual ceremony held on February 8th, 2022 between Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) General Wayne Eyre and Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman.

The WPS CHoDs network was established in 2017 to support member states’ efforts to provide a collaborative platform for Chiefs of the Defence who have committed to advancing the WPS agenda within their own defence force. By sharing lessons observed and best practices, members are enhancing their shared understanding and knowledge, to increase their ability to advance the WPS agenda. Canada assumed the network Chair in July 2019 from the United Kingdom and has actively worked to advance the WPS agenda in support of UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions within the international security community since then.

“Holding the chair of this organization for the past two years has been a great honour for our country and for our armed forces. Since the start of Canada’s tenure, we have contributed to the further growth and development of the network. In July 2019, when we took over the Chair responsibilities, membership stood at 39 member states. Over the course of our Chairpersonship, that number has increased to 56 and Canada will continue to actively advocate for other nations to join the Network” said General Eyre.

As of this year, the Network uses an official Charter based on the Terms of Reference previously developed by the first Chair (UK) which were built upon by Canada, formalizing the organization. With a view to strengthening the Network as an organization, a succession plan for Nation Chairs has been established for the next four chairs. The Network Executive is now composed of Sweden (Vice-Chair), Jamaica, and Ireland with UK as ex-Officio. Major-General Lise Bourgon, our CAF WPS Champion was also named as the Woman Advisor to the Executive to the CHODs Network.

Our efforts in developing a strong WPS Network have also included the delivery of a digital and portable training package available to all UN countries. This resource includes a fully curated package with courses of different depths and lengths with comprehensive instructional guidelines to allow member nations to deliver the training to their personnel. This training was developed by the Canadian Defence Academy and the Center of Excellence for Peace and Security in collaboration with Direction Gender Equality and Intersectional Analysis. It is tailored specifically to the international audience at the junior military level, where Canada identified a gap in currently available WPS-related training.

During its time as Chair, Canada received outstanding support from the Executive membership: Bangladesh, Jamaica, Sweden, Ireland and UK as Ex-Officio – their contribution to the creation of the Charter and other initiatives spearheaded by Canada made a great and positive impact on the development of the Network throughout the last years. As Bangladesh takes over the role of Chair, Canada will ensure to provide our active support as Ex-Officio and member of the Network and continue our work to promote WPS objectives worldwide.

Hosted by the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Senad Mašović, and with support from Defence Section Sarajevo, the conference ran over three days concluding on Friday 8th March with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s annual International Women’s Day celebration. 

Hosted by the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Senad Mašović, and with support from Defence Section Sarajevo, the conference ran over three days concluding on Friday 8^th March with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s annual International Women’s Day celebration. Attended by senior military and civilian figures from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the wider region, and other international organisations (UK MOD, NATO, EUFOR, UN Women, OSCE, UNDP SEESAC), the conference heard from a large number of  junior and senior panellists on their experiences and perspectives of being involved in Defence and Security.

The conference resulted from commitments General Mašović made to VCDS, General Sir Gordon Messenger, at staff talks in the UK in September 2018. It provided a forum for frank and honest discussions about the challenges facing women in regional Defence, and committed the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH) to several future activities:

• Conducting a thorough gender audit and analysis of the BiH Armed Forces, including a review of internal institutions (policies, procedures and working cultures) and military training and operations, with an emphasis on qualitative data.
• Appointing full-time Military Gender and Protection Advisor(s) to strategic and operational planning headquarters.
• Including WPS and UNSCR1325 in doctrine and military guidance.
• Including gender-related scenarios on exercises and during training of the Armed Forces.