Advancing gender equality reform in North Macedonia

DCAF’s Deputy Director Béatrice Godefroy visited North Macedonia and delivered a keynote at the ceremony launching the Gender Self-Assessment Report and Gender Action Plan, commending national efforts to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

She also met with the President of North Macedonia, the Ministry of Defence, Parliament representatives, the Academy of Judges and Public Prosecutors, as well as civil society and the media. These exchanges reinforced joint efforts to promote inclusive governance and security sector reform.

Launching police reform in Zambia

DCAF officially launched a 36-month police reform project in Zambia, implemented with SACCORD and funded by Sida. The initiative supports the Zambia Police Service in building a more accountable, people-centered, and human rights-based policing model. At the launch, the Inspector General emphasized the need for restraint, transparency, and professionalism, especially in managing public assemblies and electoral environments.

Gender-responsive defence governance in North Macedonia

DCAF commends the Ministry of Defence and the Army of North Macedonia for completing their gender self-assessment, a key milestone towards institutional change. The process identified key gaps and informed a Gender Action Plan (2024–2028), aiming to strengthen decision-making, career development, training, and infrastructure through a gender lens. With strong support from leadership and partners, this initiative marks a strategic step forward for gender equality in the defence sector.

Strengthening police–media relations in Peru

During a mission to Lima and Ayacucho, DCAF facilitated an exchange between the Peruvian and Colombian national police forces. Over 100 officers were trained in human rights and strategic communication, drawing on Colombia’s media and security programme experience, with the goal of fostering trust, dialogue, and a citizen-centred security system in Peru.

Building police integrity through peer-led training

In Chișinău, DCAF welcomed 13 new trainers from Moldova’s Ministry of Internal Affairs for a second-generation training course on police integrity. Over two weeks, participants explored integrity-building, anti-discrimination, and adult learning methods. Supported by facilitators trained in 2023, the new trainers will soon lead integrity sessions across Moldova’s security institutions showcasing the ripple effect of peer-led capacity building.