WAIKIKI, Hawaii –
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) welcomed defense partners from 11 regional nations for the inaugural Indo-Pacific Regional Military Gender Advisor Course, Aug. 14 -25. This course is part of a five-year initiative by the USINDOPACOM Office of Women, Peace & Security (WPS) to develop a fully trained network of certified military Gender Advisors within the Indo-Pacific.
In his opening remarks, Air Commodore Chris Robson, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J5 Deputy Director for Strategy & WPS Senior Representative highlighted how, “Applying a gender perspective helps us better understand the security concerns of the entire population, reduce potential gender-blind spots, and identify the full range of risks, resources, and opportunities available to us”.
Course participants included representatives from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Fiji, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Thailand. “U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is committed to advancing WPS alongside our regional partners to achieve mutual goals for a lasting peace and stability. Together, we can develop more holistic and human-centered approaches to security in the region”, said Robson.
The course is intended to increase awareness of WPS and its relevance to international security, help students develop the skills necessary to operationalize and institutionalize WPS within the defense sector, and build meaningful relationships and networks to enable collaboration on WPS efforts.
Women, Peace and Security is in international framework that promotes women’s full and equal participation in peace and security as a prerequisite to achieving sustainable peace. Guest instructors, facilitators, and support staff come from across the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, US Northern Command, US Army Pacific, 351st Civil Affairs Command, U.S Pacific Fleet, Marine Forces Pacific, Australian Defence Force, and New Zealand Defence Force. The course also features speakers from civil society organizations to demonstrate a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to WPS implementation.