Content_paragraphs:  UNODC continued to assist the G5 Sahel executive secretariat in its effort to
  
  mainstream gender in the security sector. From 16 to 19 March 2021, a workshop
  
  co-organized by UNODC and OHCHR was held in Nouakchott for heads and senior
  
  officials of security forces from G5 Sahel countries on gender diversity as a driver of
  
  change, in accordance with the G5 Sahel plan of action to increase the number of
  
  women in uniform in the defence and security sectors of the region. OHCHR and
  
  UNODC continue to advocate for the increased nomination of women in senior
  
  military and police ranks, noting their importance in enabling armed forces to
  
  effectively fulfil their mandates, through inter alia, bringing additional perspectives
  
  in operation planning and key decision-making, especially with respect to decisions
  
  affecting civilians, particularly women and girls, as well as greater levels of
  
  community access, thus enhancing the protection of civilians. During the reporting
  
  period, the executive secretariat continued to pursue its efforts to develop a regional
  
  strategy for the protection of civilians in G5 Sahel countries with the support of
  
  OHCHR, including by organizing with the Joint Force a dedicated workshop in Mali
  
  from 23 to 26 November 2020 to inform the future regional strategy for the protection
  
  of civilians and to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including national
  
  human rights institutions, local and traditional authorities and civil society.
  
   
  
   
  
   D. Issues and challenges