MONS, Belgium – Senior NATO leaders gathered for the annual Gender Senior Leaders Seminar at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.
This is an invaluable opportunity with such a high level audience to assess and highlight how gender integration is vital in building a fully functional Warfighting Headquarters
The main purpose of the seminar, hosted by SHAPE’s Gender Advisor, was to raise awareness of gender integration at all levels, but also to reinforce the importance of other perspectives, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“This is an invaluable opportunity with such a high level audience to assess and highlight how gender integration is vital in building a fully functional Warfighting Headquarters,” said Lieutenant Colonel Sheri Lattemore, SHAPE Gender Advisor. “Through training and dialogue leading up to and including this seminar, we have been able to explore gender mainstreaming processes as part of the SHAPE Chief of Staff’s Order in better integrating gender issues.”
Senior NATO leaders gathered for the annual Gender Senior Leaders Seminar at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 to raise awareness of gender integration at all level. SHAPE's Chief of Staff, the Secretary General’s Special Representative for WPS, and Commandant NCGM were in attendance. - Photo by SMSgt Frederic Rosaire (French Air Force)
The Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security, Irene Fellin, also attended along with senior SHAPE leadership and the respective Gender Focal Points. Members from the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM) also attended where all subject matter experts successfully briefed, updated and explored all subject themes to inform and educate.
Military operations in today’s world require a diversity of qualifications and resources to ensure that peace and security are achieved and maintained. The complementary skills of both male and female personnel are essential for the effectiveness of NATO operations. The International Military Staff Office of the Gender Advisor and the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives work to integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of NATO operations.