"Gender policies are at the core of the EU Global Policy."
Ambassador Mara Marinaki
Brussels, 21 June 2019—This week, Human Rights and Gender advisers appointed to EU CSDP institutions, missions and operations attended the 11th annual Meeting of Human Rights and Gender Advisers and Focal Points in CSDP Missions and Operations at the Albert Borschette Conference Center in Brussels. Among those who attended was EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA's Legal Advisor Maj. Rodrigo Lorenzo Ponce de León (Spanish Armed Forces).
Human Rights and Gender Advisers meet in Brussels at the
11th annual Meeting of Human Rights and Gender Advisers and Focal Points in CSDP Missions and Operations.
The annual meeting has established itself as an important platform for learning among peers, exchanging good practices and identifying areas in which to further develop human rights and gender perspectives within CSDP missions and operations. Among the speakers at this year's meeting were relevant leaders and experts such as Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mara Marinaki, EEAS Principal Advisor on Gender and implementation of UNSCR 1325, and LtGen Vincenzo Coppola, Civilian Operations Commander, Director CPCC.
"Gender policies are at the core of the EU Global Policy," said Ambassador Marinaki at the meeting.
The date of this year's meeting coincidentally aligned with the 11th anniversary of UNSCR 1820 (2008) for the protection of civilians—in particular women and children—against sexual violence in conflict zones.
"On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the European Union and the United Nations join their voices to call on the international community to accelerate its efforts to eliminate the scourge of all forms of sexual violence, including as a strategy and tactic of war and terror," wrote High-Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini in a joint statement with UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten.
Read more from High-Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.