Women in SEEBRIG: Inclusion, Leadership, and Readiness
The South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) Headquarters (HQ) continues to evolve as a multinational military organisation, where professionalism, diversity, and inclusiveness directly contribute to operational effectiveness. A key element of this progress is the growing and increasingly visible role of women within the SEEBRIG structure.
Currently, women represent 21.4% of the total SEEBRIG HQ personnel, with six female members out of twenty-eight, evenly represented across both officer and non-commissioned officer ranks. This level of representation places SEEBRIG above the average percentage of women serving in NATO military structures, or even in the SEEBRIG contributing nations armed forces, reflecting a positive and forward-looking approach to gender integration.
The recent arrival of new staff member from Türkiye is a very good example in this respect. Notably, the appointment of a female officer in a Command Group position, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Support (DCOS SUP) marks an important milestone in SEEBRIG’s gender perspective.
“Serving as a female officer at SEEBRIG Headquarters is not only about representing military discipline; it is also about demonstrating the strength that diversity brings to building peace and security. In this multinational environment, being present both in the field and at the decision-making table shows that resilience, professionalism, and leadership are not defined by gender. My uniform represents not only the military I serve, but also the doors opening for future generations of female leaders. Working shoulder to shoulder for regional stability, I witness every day how diverse perspectives enhance operational effectiveness. Within this headquarters, gender is more than a statistic; it is an essential element in making peace more inclusive and sustainable”, stated LTC Emine OZTURK, SEEBRIG HQ DCOS SUP.
Other important and challenging HQ functions are carried out by female personnel demonstrating the professional ability and the strong will to meet the challenge. Functions such as Legal Adviser, Public Information Officer or staff assistant for the command group (both in the COMSEEBRIG and the Chief of Staff offices), are carried out by female military personnel, representing the Albanian and North Macedonia armed forces.
“As a female officer serving for more than five years at SEEBRIG HQ and working as a Legal Adviser, I approach my duties with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the regional cooperation and security. In this role, I support the command by providing legal guidance and ensuring that our decisions and activities align with international and military law. At the same time, my life outside the uniform offers a different but equally important perspective. The responsibilities and values shaped through family life remind me of the broader purpose behind our work—preserving peace, stability, and security in the region. Balancing these professional and personal dimensions strengthens my sense of duty and continually reminds me that the work we do today contributes to a more secure and stable future for the next generations”, stated MAJ Marija JOVANOVSKA, SEEBRIG HQ LEGAD.
The combination of professional knowledge, experience and leadership skills they poses makes them effective not only in fulfilling tasks of their individual functions but in cases barring the tasks of a whole section. Our Romanian female NCO colleague is standing up to the challenge of carring out alone most of the tasks in the personnel section.
These appointments highlight SEEBRIG’s commitment and that of the Nations to the integration of gender perspective and demonstrates that leadership roles are assigned based on competence, professionalism, and merit.
Women serving in SEEBRIG bring valuable expertise, organisational skills, and diverse perspectives that enhance decision-making and staff performance. Their presence at different levels of responsibility strengthens teamwork, improves communication, and supports a balanced and inclusive working environment.
Gender perspective within SEEBRIG is not viewed as a standalone objective, but as an integral part of effective leadership and operational readiness. Inclusive teams are better equipped to address complex challenges, adapt to dynamic security environments, and engage constructively with multinational partners and civilian counterparts. In this context, the participation of women in both command and support roles directly supports SEEBRIG’s mission and long-term effectiveness.
“By fostering an environment where professional skills and merit is fully integrated regardless of gender, SEEBRIG HQ continues to align with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, peace, and security as well as NATO and national values and policies on gender equality, while setting a positive example within multinational military coope-ration. The growing contribution of female personnel in SEEBRIG HQ underscores that diversity is not only a matter of representation, but a strategic asset that strengthens cohesion, professionalism, and mission success”, stated COMSEEBRIG.
Specific gender-focus topics are part of the HQ’s yearly training programme and, regularly (once per rotation cycle) dedicated training events are organised (for example, the “Women and Security Gender Awareness Course”, organised by SEEBRIG HQ & RACVIAC – Centre for Security and Cooperation on 13–15 June 2023, in Kumanovo, North Macedonia), as the HQ’ “peace-time” gender perspective. From the operational stand point, integrating the gender perspective means that the HQ personnel understands the differentiated impacts of conflict / crisis on women and men, girls and boys, and adapting the HQ procedures and plans to take these differences into account in a peace support operation.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, SEEBRIG HQ reaffirmed it’s support for gender equality and women’s contribution to international peace and security. In recognition of the important contributions made by women, symbolic gifts and flowers were presented, highlighting appreciation, respect, and empowerment.
SEEBRIG HQ remains committed to promoting inclusiveness, supporting leadership development, and ensuring that all personnel—women and men alike—are empowered to contribute fully to the Brigade’s mission and future challenges.
One Team, one Mission!