The Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) recently hosted the Military Gender Advisor (MGA) Course serial 1/2024 in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). The rationale for this course is mentioned in the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security (UNSCR 1325 and UNSCR 2242), which call on the Member States to better apply gender perspective into military peacekeeping activities.
This new milestone of gender course in MPC has led by Mr. Khalid Zine, an expert from UNITAR, together with two other experienced facilitators, held from 21st October to 1st November 2024. The course participated by 20 Course Participants (CP), including 08 from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and 12 International CPs from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. This MGA course is tailored to prepare participants with critical knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques essential for effective roles as MGA.
Throughout the course, participants engaged with a robust framework designed to enhance their effectiveness in addressing gender issues within peacekeeping missions. Topics included cultural and gender dynamics and pressing thematic issues in conflict zones, including Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). These insights equipped participants to incorporate these considerations thoughtfully into their strategies, fostering a proactive approach to addressing gender-related challenges in peacekeeping operations.
The course officially concluded on 1st November 2024, with a closing ceremony presided over by Colonel Noor Azman bin Haji Yahya, Commandant of MPC. Also present, Mr. Robert Bissett, the Political Counsellor from the High Commission of Canada.
