STOCKHOLM — Sweden's armed forces have published a "gender manual" to make officers pay more attention to equality between the sexes at home and on foreign missions.
Vice Adm. Jan Thornqvist on Thursday told The Associated Press the purpose is to implement a gender perspective in operations and attract more women to the military.
He says in foreign peacekeeping operations that could mean asking women and children about their security needs, not just local leaders, who often are men.
Swedish soldiers attend a virtual battle space brief during an exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, in 2014. Swedish officers have been issued a "gender manual" to help them consider differing perspectives when dealing with gender issues in the ranks and on foreign missions.
Photo Credit: Spc. Justin De Hoyos/U.S. Army
The manual has examples of situations where officers could apply a gender perspective, including when considering disruptions from a bridge closure during an exercise.
The manual says: "Do a gender analysis to understand who uses the bridge and how."
Thornqvist said about 400 copies will be distributed. The manual also is available online.
