Diversity and Gender Equality
By the Minister of Defence, Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen
To create
a dynamic and well functioning military organisation, the Armed Forces depend
on a diversity of human resources. An important personal goal for me is that
the Armed Forces shall reflect the multi-ethnic and socially diverse nature of
our society.
We need to
attract more women to the defence sector. Women have the same rights as men to
all positions, both military and civilian, in our Armed Forces. Yet, our
organisation is still essentially male dominated. Only seven percent of our
military personnel, including those on contract, are women – and we want to
increase this number! Through tailored campaigns and inviting young women to
attend voluntary military classification interviews, the Armed Forces want to
make it clear that women are needed, wanted and welcome in the Forces.
Over
recent decades Norway
has become an ethnically multicultural country. The Armed Forces need to draw
on the experience and the knowledge which the different cultural groups
represent. Cultural competence is a central factor for success when
international operations are planned and executed. Both at home and abroad our
Armed Forces should be a showcase for our democratic political system based on
human rights, ethnic diversity and gender equality.
Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen
Minister
of Defence
