Women to assume greater role in Balkan militaries

Women to assume greater role in Balkan militaries

Military officials said they are working to attract, employ and retain women more effectively.

Serbian servicewomen assemble AK-47 assault rifles at the Sombor barracks. Serbia has instituted a 20 percent quota for women at its military academy in Belgrade. [AFP]

A new United Nations Development Project (UNDP) study urges the Balkan militaries to increase the number of servicewomen and provide them with positions and tasks of greater responsibility.

The study is part of UNDP's regional project supporting gender equality in the defence sector that is co-financed by the Swedish military and the Norwegian government.

Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Macedonia participate in the project.

"Despite the great progress in this area, the countries covered by the study still face real challenges such as insufficient representation of women in the armed forces, especially in commanding and managerial positions," the study said.

The activities and analysis following the study can change the stereotype that military service is a male profession, said Alessandro Fracassetti, who is a UNDP deputy resident representative in Macedonia.

"To ensure that the reforms in the defence sector are truly democratic, women must be equally represented in making decisions, creating policies and in other decision-making matters. Of course, women must have equal access to the armed forces. In 2012, women were very successful in [basic] training," Fracassetti said.

Officials said the study provides a basis to implement UN Resolution 1325 that stipulates women should have a greater role in the military.

"We are making a significant effort to...