In order to celebrate the completion of the courses to put into practice the Manual on the implementation of the gender approach in international operations, on extension in International Humanitarian Law, on training of trainers in International Humanitarian Law and on mediation for peace, the closing ceremony was held today at the facilities of the military Base of the North, in Bogotá.
The event was attended by Mr. Gherardo Amaduzzi Ambassador of Italy to Colombia, Mr. General Jorge León González Parra Joint Chief of Staff of the military forces, Mr. Major General Helder Fernán Giraldo Bonilla Director of the War College, Mr. Brigadier General Javier Alberto Ayala Amaya Commander of the Joint Strategic Transition Command and Mrs. Deputy Minister for policies and international affairs of the Ministry of National Defense Diana Catherine Abaunza Millares. In the same way, the management and teaching team of the Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo Italy, as well as representatives of the University of Messina, worked in Italy.
This is a space to reiterate the commitment of the Military Forces with the processes of education of their members on issues of differential approach to gender, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, which are present as part of the curriculum of training schools and training in all professional levels.
This training has been strengthened thanks to bilateral cooperation with different international expert bodies on human rights, gender issues and conflicts resolution. The International Humanitarian Institute of San Remo, Italy, has been an institution of top academic quality that since 1970 has worked hand in hand with different nations in promoting the protection of citizens' rights.
The policies, reforms and processes of education on the respect for Human Rights and the implementation of the gender based approach are very important issues for the Military Forces. The Ministry of National Defence issued gender Policies for the Public Sector for the uniformed personnel of the Military Forces 2018-2027, which has sought to increase the participation of women in all positions of the Institution, the prevention of all types of gender-based violence, acts of discrimination and segregation. In addition to this, the Ministry of National Defense issued last November 10 the resolution 3010 of 2020, in which the guidelines aimed at the promotion of gender equity and the prevention and comprehensive assistance of gender violence in the Military Forces are adopted.
Today, a training process is being completed that can be replicated by the working teams of the military forces, thus showing the importance of fulfilling the constitutional mission, which is in accordance with international norms on the protection of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, gender perspective and refugee law.
It is necessary to recall on this occasion that, in the frame of their constitutional mission, members of the military forces have been victims of various crimes, including kidnapping, anti-personnel mines, torture, disappearance and sexual violence, among others. For this reason, the Joint Strategic Transition Command will continue to work to make visible the military men and women who, in search of the protection of Colombians, have seen their rights and those of their families violated.
