Improving security through women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in the armed forces focus of Forum for Security Co-operation event

VIENNA, 25 October – The Canadian Chairpersonship of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) held a Security Dialogue dedicated to UN Security Council Resolution 1325+ and the Women, Peace and Security agenda today. The discussion focused on the improved outcomes in peace, security and operational effectiveness that are achieved through women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in the armed forces.

Two female military generals were among the panelists and drew on their own experience serving in conflict zones to discuss the important beneficial impacts of women’s participation in military and peacebuilding operations.

“Operational effectiveness is not going to improve just by presence, but through meaningful inclusion of different perspectives and different peoples,” said Canadian Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan.

‘’In the context of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, the Security Dialogue provided an opportunity to take stock of the value derived from increasingly gender-integrated armed forces operating in combat zones,’’ highlighted Chair of the FSC Ambassador Jocelyn Kinnear.

The meeting also highlighted the importance for all OSCE participating States to develop and implement National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security to translate their WPS policy commitments into action.

The Forum was addressed by Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan, Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture for the Canadian Armed Forces, Irish Defence Forces Major-General (retired) Maureen O’Brien and Dr Henri Myrttinen, Lead Associate with Gender Associations International Consulting.