A range of stories, from training Afghan women for security roles to gender considerations during Operation Covid-19 Assist, have been collated into a coffee-table book launched in Canberra on October 31.
Titled Winning the Peace, the book profiles 30 Australian gender advisors and captures their experiences on operations and exercises around the world.
The book’s author, Group Captain Deanne Gibbon, was surprised by the level of passion from people who have worked on gender issues.
She said people did not really understand the operational aspect of gender issues in the early days.
“But I think the capability is becoming more embedded in Defence,” Group Captain Gibbon said.
Speaking of her experience in Afghanistan, Group Captain Gibbon said the work undertaken in the Middle East was “undone in a traumatic way”.
“I like to think there’s a generation of Afghan people who will remember what it was like when women had liberation, when women had the right to study, work outside the home and assume senior roles in Afghan institutions and organisations … and who knows what this will mean for Afghanistan in the future,” she said.
During a panel discussion following the book launch at Old Parliament House, gender advisor Major Attila Ovari said he wanted to see a better life for future generations, including his children.
“The more I came to understand the women, peace and security agenda, the more I came to realise the gender inequalities that exist,” Major Ovari said.
Having four daughters was the driving factor behind Major Ovari becoming a gender advisor. He said more men should consider the role.
During Navy Captain Jennifer Macklin’s time as a gender advisor, her most important work was an assessment of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the role of women.
According to Captain Macklin, the Director of Women, Peace and Security, it was something that hadn’t been considered.
“Women were really only looked at as victims or people in internally displaced people’s camps,” Captain Macklin said.
“So, from a protection perspective, what I was able to do was demonstrate that women and men have very active roles.”
The book launch coincided with the 23rd anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Launching the book, Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell said the resolution recognised that violence and conflict disproportionately affected women and girls.
“The personal reflections and accounts of gender advisors contained within this book are insightful and deeply moving,” General Campbell said.
“Winning the Peace does a magnificent job in showcasing the integration of gender perspectives across Defence operations and commitments, as well as clearly demonstrating how this integration continues to enhance the ADF’s operational effectiveness.
“The true success of the women, peace and security initiative has little to do with the documents that outline it and everything to do with the lives of women our gender advisors have reached and helped to improve.”
He said Defence made an indispensable contribution to conflict prevention, resolution, peace and confidence-building.
“Service and sacrifice for one’s country, and contributing to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region we share, has no gender boundaries. That’s where we should be and that’s where we are determined to continue our efforts,” General Campbell said.
