Interview with Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Moreno Santos, Gender Advi- sor for NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum Conducted by Maria Agnese Arban, Programmes Officer, YPFP Brussels Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Moreno Santos, Gender Advisor (GENAD) for NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS), reflects upon the importance of introducing a gender perspective into military operations and missions. Additionally, he examines the main instruments that have been put in place by NATO to internalize the guidelines set internationally at the United Nations level through the adoption of the Women Peace and Security Agenda. Considering your experience and current position improve the continuity of GFP training, the JFCBS workplace by issuing a paper on the prevention, as GENAD for NATO JFCBS, why is introducing a GENAD has implemented tailored training sessions at management and combating of harassment, bullying gender perspective and enhancing gender equality the convenience of nominated GFPs or newcomers in and discrimination in the workplace. This constitutes a in all NATO operations and missions important? GENAD´s office. Nominated GFPs and newcomers to leading role in showing its interest on these issues as NATO may apply for online GFP courses organised by a pioneer international organisation which is able to Gender perspective and gender equality constitute NCGM to ensure the correct gender training level and adopt a change of gender mindset. two principles that are closely related. Introducing a gender awareness is present in all staff. gender perspective into operations and missions can The last Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report increase the operational effectiveness by assisting Another achievement for the NATO military shows that the percentage of women in senior in the prevention of unintended consequences that component was achieved in 2009 with the adoption leadership posts within NATO, especially in its can adversely affect men, women, boys and girls of Bi-SC Directive 40-1. In fact, this Directive military structures, is far from reaching an differently. Women and children have not only suffered contributed to the institutionalization of gender inclusive work environment. In your view, what the aftermaths of armed conflicts but have also been advisory positions throughout the organization. has been preventing attracting and retaining top used as an indicator of possible ambushes in areas Could you briefly explain what these roles concretely female candidates? of conflict. Hence, it is important that a gender entail and what is the added value they brought to perspective is included in operational planning and the NATO’s missions? According to civilian statistics and NATO countries’ execution of operations and missions. military statistics there is a gap in the gender balance According to Directive 40-01, GENAD, as the Office between them. In 2015, 37 % of the international Gender equality in NATO forms part of its core values. of Primary Responsibility regarding UNSCR 1325 and staff were female and 21 % of the senior decision- It is important to provide equal opportunities to all related Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, makers were women. Although there are no more military forces and civilian members. The more female provides advice on its implementation, and the recent gender statistics, I think that the low representation there is in the armed forces and as part integration of gender perspective including operations/ percentage of women belonging to armed forces in of its decision-making processes, the more gender missions, crisis/conflicts analysis, concepts, doctrine, NATO countries is reflected in the low percentage of equality can be achieved. procedures and education and training. One of the female members in NATO units. This remains the main main tasks of the GENAD is to conduct and maintain obstacle to attracting more women candidates. Female Since the introduction of the Women, Peace and a functional relationship with other GENADs and GFPs representation in NATO is constantly being taken into Security Agenda, NATO has worked to internalize in higher and subordinate headquarters in order to consideration under the principle of “Gender equality” the guidelines set internationally at the United ensure vertical synchronisation. GENADs provide a which is promoted on a daily basis throughout NATO. Nations level. The efforts made by the Alliance better gender awareness to the staff by promoting include, among others, the establishment in gender activities through training sessions, workshops 2014 of the NATO Education and Training Plan for and seminars in order to maintain the correct level of Gender in Military Operations. What are the main sharing gender information periodically to and from achievements you observe after the implementation the missions and the higher HQs. of this education and training plan? During last year’s debate on sexual violence in The Nordic Centre for Military in Operations (NCGM) conflict hosted by the UN Security Council, Ms is the centre of excellence in Sweden designated as Clare Hutchinson, NATO Secretary General’s Special the Department Head for Gender Training in NATO. Representative for Women, Peace and Security, As such, it is responsible for assuring the quality said that “to effectively address sexual violence, control, coherence and coordination of gender training we must address and dismantle all obstacles that available to NATO. Since 2014, Allied Command impede women’s full participation in peace and Operations (ACO), Allied Command Transformation security”. In light of the controversies surrounding and Joint Forces Command Brunssum (JFCBS) have the adoption of UNSCR 2467 in 2019, do you think developed a gender training system by which Gender that NATO could step up and take a more leading Advisors (GENADs) and Gender Focal Points (GFPs) are role in the future independently from the United trained at NCGM, NATO School and their HQs through Nations when it comes to gender-related issues? online courses or in person. currently NATO has been making efforts in developing gender Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Moreno Santos In this regard, the engagement of ACOs and the Chain related UNSCRs in its legal environment for the last two serves in NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum as of Command on gender training within their divisions decades. Within the framework of these developments, Gender Advisor. He began his career in the Spanish Army and branches is crucial. Without the engagement and NATO GENADs have carried out activities by conducting where he also covered the role of Chief of Defence HQ as specific support of the Command it is very difficult to periodic workshops, debates and digital dialogues in a human resources officer. Since 2007, he has worked as maintain a minimum level of gender awareness, training which HQ staff have participated. a civilian lawyer on gender violence with civilian women in and collaboration throughout the HQ. To facilitate this need, single mothers and other gender related issues. He has collaboration and internal support, the implementation When it comes to gender-related issues, last year, served as Officer in several international missions including of the GFPs network is a great achievement. To NATO created an initiative to tackle gender in the in Somalia (EUTM), Afghanistan (IJC) and Lebanon (UUNN)..