Conference on women, peace and security at the HVU

The Conference was opened by their addresses, by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić, and by the Deputy Minister of Defence Višnja Tafra, followed by the address of the Norwegian diplomat Mari Skåre, the special representative for women, peace and security of the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Exactly 12 years ago, on 31 October 2000, The UN Security Council at its 4213^th session adopted Resolution 1325, the basic document on the impact and consequences of the war on women, but also on women’s contribution to sustainable peace.

Speaking of Croatian experiences and the role and position of women in security and defence, Deputy Minister of Defence, Višnja Tafra noted that this issue should be considered from a broader perspective of the overall role and status that women have in the society. The process of change in the attitudes and perceptions of women in society, has led, over the past twenty years, to empowerment and on increasing the number of women in politics, business and in many other segments of Croatian society – and consequently these changes led to the opening of new opportunities for women that want to build their careers in defence and security sector. “Every year more and more women apply for military service and enter the Croatian Armed Forces, and in the Ministry of Defence, compared to the previous years, we have increased number of women on the key and responsible positions”, Tafra said while stressing that there have been room for further progress, especially at the military command positions where women have been still under-represented.