NATO ACT promotes global gender perspective training

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

01.16.2015

Courtesy Story

NATO Allied Command Transformation

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda L. Kilpatrick

NORFOLK, Va. - NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) continues to raise the bar in gender perspective training around the world. In the most recent United Nations Security Council Report, NATO was recognized for having "strengthened the gender training delivered through the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations."

Gender perspective includes all people and is described as a look into how society and culture affects individuals differently. It focuses on taking into consideration the mission objectives and ensuring that men, women and children are included.

"In a hospital setting, for example, we need to ensure there are females available to assist with female patients and males to assist with male patients," said French Army Maj. Stephanie Nicol, ACT's Gender Adviser.

As Gender Adviser, she advises the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, French Air Force General Jean-Paul Paloméros, about gender perspective issues, ideas and training.

According to Maj. Nicol, gender perspective is a crucial aspect of operational effectiveness. Part of Maj. Nicol's job is to ensure gender is being considered at every level of planning.

"We need to take into consideration the gender perspective now, in the training, the preparation, and the doctrine," said Maj. Nicol. "You need to be trained and need to have strong knowledge about what gender is, and how to deal with it in your daily work."

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1325, which was a turning point for women's rights and participation.

"NATO follows the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and we take it very seriously," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson Jr., ACT Command Senior Enlisted Leader. "It is very clear on where we, as an Alliance, should be. As we help support the capability and development of a country we have a responsibility to ensure that gender and inclusion are a large part of what we do."

The UNSC Resolution brought to attention the need for gender perspective during times of conflict, rehabilitation, reintegration and post-conflict reconstruction. It focuses on women, peace and security and recognized the need for gender perspective in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian settings.

"Gender is not about equal opportunity, not about harassment and not just about women," said Maj. Nicol. "Gender is about how one situation can have an impact on a woman, man or child."

As the gender adviser, Maj. Nicol ensures a gender perspective is integrated in policies, training and doctrines as well as implementing UNSC Resolution 1325.

"The point is how to implement the United Nation Resolution everywhere, from the strategic level to tactical level," said Maj. Nicol. "If we don't start now, then it will be too late."

Maj. Nicol is preparing an informational gender packet for the upcoming Annual Discipline Conference for Gender that will be held in June. The conference will focus on the importance of maintaining gender perspective and how to improve on the UNSC Resolution 1325 through training and discussions.

"Last year the Gender in Military Operations Strategic Training Plan was approved by the North Atlantic Council and that was huge," said Major Nicol. "It unified and synchronized the education and training effort by providing a holistic and deliberate planning approach."

Maj. Nicol has many plans for the future of promoting gender perspective while overcoming numerous obstacles.

"The most challenging part of my job is the lack of knowledge about what gender perspective is," said Maj. Nicol. "My main goal is to promote more awareness and training and to implement more 'gender' in the headquarters."

• Date Taken: 01.16.2015
• Date Posted: 01.20.2015 11:14
• Story ID: 152272
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US