Page 25 - Coespu Magazine 2017-2

Training – and gender training more than others - is a continuous and long-term process that
requires political will and commitment of all parties involved in order to create inclusive societies
that recognize the need to promote gender equality in the environment of national and international
security. A more secure world is possible only where security is inclusive.

Written by:
Irene Fellin

Irene Fellin is an independent Gender and Security expert who has worked on gender issues and women’s
rights for different international organizations.
In Rome, where she is presently based, she is President of WIIS Italy - Women in International Security, an
NGO engaged on promoting the role of women in defense and security issues and on raising awareness on
the important role that women can play in international security. She also works as independent consultant
on several research projects focusing on Women and International Security, including training on Gender
protection and Women, Peace and Security.
Before moving to Rome, she served as Gender Advisor to NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative
for Women, Peace and Security. Prior to joining NATO, Ms. Fellin lived in Ankara, Turkey for several years,
where she worked at the local offices of UNICEF and UNDP. Her work there was focused on honour killing,
early marriage and domestic violence. Training local staff on gender-related issues was also part of her
activity.
Ms Fellin holds a Master’s qualification in “Gender and Women’s Studies” as well as in Museology, and a
degree in Literature and History of Art.
She has been training at CoESPU since 2014.
The opinions expressed in this article are her own and must not be attributed to CoESPU.

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