EUTM Mali: Recognising the role and contribution of women in training

European Union Training Mission (EUTM) Mali contributes to the training of the Malian Armed Forces, which forms one of its key pillar activities. The training is of high relevance and has a high potential positive impact on the trainees’ conduct during their engagement in combat operations across Mali. In line with the UNSCR 1325, each training cohort receives theoretical and practical lectures on international humanitarian law, protection and human rights, including prevention of sexual-based violence, and gender awareness. EUTM Mali’s training staff members are male and female military and civilian personnel, as well as reservists who fulfil their tasks with dignity and professionalism.

Let us meet Captain Camilla who is a Reserve Officer of the Finnish Defence Forces and served as the Chief Instructor’s assistant in the Education and Training Task Force based in Koulikoro. She deployed in October 2019 and completed her tour in October 2020.  Camilla was on leave in Finland when the COVID 19 outbreak took place in March 2020 but she returned to the mission as an essential staff member. She played a key role in the development of syllabi, training programmes and the coordination of training with the Malian Armed Forces. Due to the reduction of staff in the mission area, she took on a number of additional tasks including the management of the mission’s interpreters and was the training co-coordinator. She was also active in development of the camp gymnasium to keep our soldiers fit. This was Captain Camilla’s first deployment overseas.