Conference and Workshop on Gender Equality in Security Sector
Thursday, April 2
Conference on Gender Equality Principles in the Security Sector was held in the hotel “Holiday Inn”. The conference aimed to implement UNSC Resolution on Women, Peace and Security on national level.
Defence Minister Mindia Janelidze opened the forum. While delivering a speech, he focused on institutionalization issues of gender equality policy in the MoD. As Minister outlined, the MoD is implementing and will deepen information campaign on gender equality principles, violence and discrimination. Defence Minister stated that the MoD plans monitoring in order to strengthen gender equality and UNSC Resolution in 2015-2016. Minister emphasized the importance of public awareness, broadening of educational activities and institutionalization provision of gender adviser’s activities.
Special guest of the conference, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, Ambassador Marriet Schuurman addressed the participants as well. She highlighted NATO policy related to implementation of gender equality principles.
Within a-day long conference the participants discussed the progress which the MoD and MIA achieved in implementation process of UNSC 1325 Resolution and gender equality principles.
Assistant to Prime Minister in Human Rights and Gender Equality Issues, Sopo Japaridze and representative of UN Women Organization in Georgia Erika Kvapilova delivered speeches to the participants as well. The representatives of the civil society also took part in the forum.
Following the conference, the two-day workshop for the advisors on gender issues in the field of defence was opened at the Davit Aghmashenebeli National Defence Academy. First Deputy Minister of Defence Gocha Ratiani unveiled the seminar and focused attention on its significance. “Working on gender equality issues began years ago and a great progress has been achieved in this regard. This day is the proof of it, though is not sufficient. Therefore it is planned to hold various workshops and retraining of personnel as well as sharing relevant experience with them. The NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative Mrs. Marriet Schuurman together with her team has arrived in Georgia with this aim exactly. We have invited the representatives from other partner nations too”, said Gocha Ratiani.
