On Friday, 6 March, PRIO GPS Centre Director Torunn L. Tryggestad was invited to speak at a breakfast seminar organised by Unio (The Confederation of Unions for Professionals) to mark International Women’s Day. The event focused on the lack of a gender perspective and the insufficient inclusion of women in societal preparedness in Norway.
Tryggestad highlighted the relevance of the international Women, Peace and Security agenda for national preparedness policies, urging key government entities to draw on the lessons learned by the foreign service. She also encouraged national, regional and local authorities to work closely with civil society—particularly women’s organisations that hold substantial knowledge and experience related to preparedness.
The event was opened by Steffen Handal, leader of Unio. Tryggestad was joined on the stage by Kristin Sørung Scharffscher, Assistant Professor, University of Stavanger, Gunn Karin Gjul, State Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Preparedness, Geir Røsvoll, leader, Utdanningsforbundet, Lill Sverresdatter Larsen, leader of Norwegian Association of Nurses and Kari Anne Kristiansen, gender equality advisor, The Police Association.
In connection with this event there was also a podcast recorded with Tryggestad and Sørung Scharffscher as guests. https://www.unio.no/2026/03/05/beredskap-uten-kjonnsperspektiv-et-svakt-punkt-i-norsk-sikkerhet/
