Note from the Chief of the Defence Staff

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operate in a modern conflict environment of unprecedented complexity. Our duty is to prevail in conflict in multidimensional battlespaces, all-the-while attempting to minimize the harm caused in these areas of operation.

To achieve mission success in operations, we must understand these conflicts—their causes, influencing factors, and the threats faced by different groups within the operational area. This level of understanding is required at every phase of an operation: from assessment, to planning, to execution. As the threats or situations evolve in response to our actions, we must continually adjust the approach.

I am issuing this Gender Aide-mémoire to assist all members of the CAF to integrate gender perspectives and the principles of Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) into operations. I want to be clear that GBA+ is not only about gender—this approach can be applied to situations relating to children, fighting-age males, or any other specific group experiencing salient threats in an operational area.

These principles are critical to mission success in operations. I expect every member of the Canadian Armed Forces to consider and apply them within their duties and responsibilities.

J.H. Vance
General
Chief of the Defence Staff