In line with Norway’s Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the Ministry of Defense organized an internal seminar on WPS and gender equality with leaders and senior experts on total defense on 28 January.
PRIO Research Director Louise Olsson presented her research and discussed with the experts on how the specific roles of gender equality and WPS can be understood within total defense, and how lessons can be drawn from experiences across Norway and the Nordic region. The seminar was organized and led by Heidi Holt Zachariassen, Senior Advisor on Gender Equality and Diversity and Women, Peace and Security, at the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.
Gender equality is both a right and a resource, forming a core component of effective total defense and societal resilience. Olsson emphasized the research result that addressing gender equality meaningfully requires making the concept concrete and integrating specific considerations into areas such as mobilization, personnel resource management, risk analysis, and protection of civilians, including from conflict-related sexual violence. Successful integration requires specifying leadership responsibilities and capacity-building in both civilian and military defense structures.
Consequently, gender equality and WPS constitute central elements in strengthening total defense efforts. The seminar is part of the Ministry of Defense’s continuous effort to realize WPS and promote gender equality in the context of Norwegian defense.
