In the beginning of the film Pirates of the Caribbean, the protagonist Elisabeth, under threat of being killed by the pirates, requests a parley with their captain. She argues that they are obligated to grant her that in accordance with “the Code”. This code governs all pirates’ values and hence, prescribes the correct behaviour. Throughout the rest of the film, the usefulness of this code is then debated. By the end of the film, the pirates arrive at the conclusion that the code is probably more like guidelines, used when considered appropriate by the actor concerned.
The relationship between values and actual behaviour is also an interesting one outside the realm of Hollywood. More specifically, in relation to gender equality which is a “founding value” of the European Union (EU). As such, it is a “fundamental principle” that is to permeate all work of the EU, including that of its Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations (CSDP missions). According to the Council of Europe, this is to be accomplished through gender equality mainstreaming. Gender equality mainstreaming means adapting all work to the reality that the world consists of men and women; central since they have different possibilities and roles, and an unequal access to resources and power.
The EU’s Peace and Security Committee has adopted a policy prescribing how gender equality mainstreaming should be realised in the context of CSDP missions. This policy is intended to guide the interpretation of the mandated assignments and the formulations of the main plans, as well as the organisational setup of a mission. That the EU has created such a Gender Policy is an important step in the right direction. In accordance with the recent Council conclusions and a decision by the High Representative, it's clearly good news that these efforts are now to be further supported by a high level expert.
