UNODC and OSCE continue efforts towards gender-inclusive border security in South-Eastern Europe

16 November 2022, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department's Border Security and Management Unit (TNTD/BSMU) organized a two-day regional training on gender mainstreaming in border and law enforcement agencies that concluded today in Sarajevo. 

The interactive training was delivered to 31 representatives from border and law enforcement agencies (17 men, 14 women) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. They were trained on integrating a gender perspective into their daily work, with a view to increase the efficiency of border and law enforcement agencies. With the support of an international expert, the participants engaged in exercises and joint analysis on women, peace and security, the nexus between gendered biases and stereotypes, and identification of cross-border crime. 

Together with experts from UNODC, the participants also discussed possible ways of preventing and combatting sexual harassment in the workplace, and were equipped with tools and knowledge needed to recognize and seek redress against such behaviors, in order to ensure a harmonious work environment.

“Over the past years, UNODC has played an increasingly active role in promoting gender mainstreaming and women’s role in such agencies which are important and major counterparts for the Organization”, said Anne Linn Jensen, Programme Officer of the Container Control Programme, UNODC, opening the event. 

The OSCE’s Border Security and Management Unit recalled the importance of men as partners at work for achieving gender equality. The participants then identified ways in which men can be engaged in overcoming gender-related challenges in border agencies.

This regional training is part of broader OSCE efforts in implementing its Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality as well as of UNODC’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 16.