23-28 May 2004

Women - ‘a force multiplier’ for NATO’s operations Background Committee on Women in the NATO Forces This year’s Conference on Women in the NATO Forces was held at the NATO HQ from 23 to 28 May and called for a greater involvement of female soldiers in Alliance operations. In recommendations to the NATO’s top military body, the Military Committee, it said that the participation of women is not simply desirable, but in many cases important for the success of operations. The Committee was briefed on lessons learned from NATO’s operation in the Balkans and Afghanistan, as well as United Nations missions. “The conclusion is that - as NATO goes global, women are a critical asset for NATO’s new missions,” said Lt. Col. Kristin Lund, Chair of the Conference, “Particularly in certain cultural contexts, like in Afghanistan, female troops and mixed-gender units are essential to carrying out such tasks as house searches, or establishing ties with the local population.” Ensuring a place for women in operations This made women a ‘door-opener’ and ‘force-multiplier’ for NATO’s operations, she emphasized. In this context, the Committee discussed ways and means of enhancing the participation of female soldiers in NATO operations, through training, recruitment and ensuring an adequate quality of life. Formal recommendations will be forward to NATO’s Military Committee. The Committee on Women in the NATO Forces’ brings together representatives from the now 26 NATO member countries. Its mission is to advise NATO leadership and member nations on critical issues affecting women in the Alliance’s armed forces.