Is the future female? Well, peace is. For years, scientific studies have shown that peace processes are significantly more likely to succeed the more women are involved in decisive positions. Nevertheless, we as the EU send almost only men on our joint security and defence missions (CSDP missions). How can we change this? Yesterday I followed up on the SEDE Security and Defence Committee. Because women belong at the negotiating table – and in security policy everywhere!

https://www.facebook.com/HNeumannMEP/videos/422983494996726/]

The EU wants more women for its joint CSDP missions, but much has not yet happened. A study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) showed that in 2017 the proportion of women on military CSDP missions was just six percent. In civilian missions, the figure was 25 percent. Research was also conducted into how the participation of women could be increased. The EU Security and Defence Committee (SEDE) commissioned the study “Women in CSDP Missions” in 2017, which identified concrete measures to improve the situation for women in the field. For example, recreation programmes should be strengthened and the possibility of taking families with them should be considered. Furthermore, the need for women in the security sector should be promoted in all EU member states. When I asked how far these measures had been implemented by the European External Action Service (EEAS), I received no concrete answer. But I will continue to hold on.