Strengthening
Border Police Capacities through
Empowerment of Policewomen in the Western Balkans
The Project is supported by Central European Initiative (CEI) and implemented by Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI) Regional Centre
People crossing borders need gender-specific quality support and services
Transforming or reorganizing institutions in such a way that they become capable of promoting and implementing gender-responsive policies will provide better services to the final beneficiaries
About the Project
The project's goal is to strengthen the capacities of border policewomen in the Western Balkans and to encourage & advocate for their greater representation on all levels.
The border authorities do not apply systematically gender mainstreaming as an important strategy like integrating a gender perspective in all the organization’s policies, strategies, programmes, administrative and financial activities, or its identity and culture, in such a way as to truly contribute to a reduction of gender inequality and to women empowerment. This affects the ability of the border authorities to identify and manage security threats taking into account their gender-based dimensions and consequences.
The project contributed to meeting CEI’s objective to advance good governance, as it aims at building strong, resilient, and accountable institutions. Additionally, it supports the objective of pursuing people empowerment, since from human-centered and gender-responsive border police authorities benefit all categories of people crossing borders. Their different needs are adequately recognized and met in line with international and domestic standards of human rights protection.
Project Manager
Neli Rasovic, MA
Representative of Montenegro to MARRI RC
An accomplished international relations expert, who brings a wealth of experience to her role as Project Manager.
With a career spanning over a decade of dedicated service within the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro, Neli has honed her expertise in a diverse range of domains. Her research interests and areas of proficiency extend across regional and international relations, migration, global and cyber security, public administration reform, as well as youth and female empowerment.
Neli's dedication to the project is driven by a passion for creating positive change and increasing women's representation within the Border Police structures.
Project Activities
- Research on the state of play of women in Border Police authorities in MARRI Participants
- Presentation of conclusions and recommendations at a Regional Conference in Skopje, North Macedonia
Research
Sustainable border and migration management requires inclusive and diverse institutions that are responsive to the different needs and concerns of all categories of people crossing borders and residents of border communities,
including their gender-specific needs.
The research provided MARRI Participants with insights for impactful and meaningful performance of all assigned tasks, resulting in better operational effectiveness and efficiency. We trust that the recommendations deriving from the research will serve as a baseline for future activities in advancing gender equality and women empowerment, specifically in the border police structures.
Researcher
Subjects
Methodology
Experienced analyst and retired intelligence officer with extensive knowledge of security-related threats and procedures in the SEE region.
Diana Golubova,
Independent Consultant
The research focused on the policewomen’s representation, status, challenges and opportunities within the Border Police. The goal was to identify the common challenges shared by all six authorities and to produce recommendations that support evidence-based policy-making with a regional approach.
The research was based on two anonymous surveys: 1) Institutional Questions to Border Police Administrations and 2) Questions to female Border Police Officers at field stations. A comparative analysis was made between the Western Balkans and the EU Member States, exemplified by Italy.
The Conference
“Inclusive Border Security:
Policewomen's Perspectives in the Western Balkans"
The event took place on 5 December 2023 in Skopje, North Macedonia.
The conference was organised as a panel discussion where representatives of Border Police authorities, policymakers from MARRI Participants’ administrations and the international community debated the current practices as presented in the findings of the research. The conference also promoted synergies among the stakeholders for future projects and activities that will contribute to closing of the identified gaps.
The long-term vision is to mainstream gender in the border and migration management and build strong, resilient, and accountable institutions which pursue people empowerment, to the benefit of all categories of people on move.
Contact us
MARRI Regional Centre
Blvd. Goce Delcev bb
MTV Building 8th floor
1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
+389 2 32 35 700
info@marri-rc.org.mk
MARRI RC is strongly committed to continuing its efforts in promoting, advocating, and implementing gender as a cross-cutting issue as well as gender equality as a fundamental human right.