Women, Peace and Security and Regional Defense – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

With the new strategic reality of war in Europe and the inclusion of all Nordic countries in NATO, strengthening Nordic defense cooperation must explicitly take into account gender equality and Women, Peace and Security (WPS). This ensures legitimacy and diverse voices in national and regional defense debates, increases public awareness and involvement, enables mobilization and provides insight into the implications for public security.

Building on NATO’s WPS policy, this letter discusses areas for improved Nordic cooperation: integrating WPS into national defense, practicing inclusivity by recruiting and retaining female military personnel, and integrity focused on work environments and codes of conduct.