The NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives (NCGP) held its 2019 NCGP Plenary Meeting, Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, at U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) in Stuttgart. 

At the four-day meeting, NATO leaders spoke to the importance of gender equality and offered ideas on how NATO can improve inclusive solutions for a modern alliance. These ideas were then tied into the USEUCOM warfighting mission, in order to improve overall capabilities as a joint force.  

“USEUCOM participation in this committee is a statement of our commitment to a whole-of-government approach in the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda through military advice,” said Samantha Turner, Gender Advisor to the Commanding General, USEUCOM.

The meeting is a follow-up to the 43rd NATO NCGP Conference, which took place June 4-7 in Brussels. At the meeting, participants reviewed lessons identified from the 2019 NCGP Conference, developed plans of action and discussed objectives for the 2020 NCGP Conference. 

By advising NATO’s political and military leadership as well as member nations on gender-related topics and the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) and related resolutions, the NCGP contributes to operational effectiveness in line with alliance objectives and priorities.

“The United States is proud to support the committee as it plans for this year’s activities as well as the 20th anniversary of the passing of UNSCR 1325,” said Wayne C. Raabe, Director, Interagency Partnering Division, U.S. European Command, during his opening statement. “The integration of gender perspectives into our plans, policies and procedures improves our operational effectiveness and helps to move the alliance towards values-based leadership in ensuring gender equality.” 

Other responsibilities of the NCGP include facilitating the exchange of information among NATO members on gender-related policies and gender mainstreaming, ensuring appropriate coordination on gender issues with the NATO Command Structure and NATO Headquarters, and collaborating with international organizations and agencies concerned with the integration of a gender perspective into military operations.

The committee promotes gender mainstreaming as a strategy for making the concerns and experiences of both women and men an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, programs and military operations.