20th Anniversary of the 2004 OSCE Gender Action Plan Stories of change Working together for gender equality
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the OSCE Gender Action Plan, we proudly introduce a collection of success stories as testament of the OSCE’s unwavering Key Successes commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women. Celebrating this milestone, we reflect on the remarkable progress achieved in advancing gender equality OSCE SECRETARIAT across the OSCE and beyond. United by our shared vision and collaborative efforts, we press forward, striving to build a In 2023, the OSCE achieved gender parity brighter, more equitable future for all. among international staff, with women representing 47 per cent of all international staff across the Organization.
OSCE Key Commitments
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN THE OSCE
a. Gender-mainstreaming in organizational practices, working environment and recruitment
b. Mainstreaming a gender perspective into OSCE activities, policies, programmes and projects OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid with mentors and mentees at the closing ceremony of the first OSCE Women’s Peace Leadership Programme, Vienna, 9 October 2023. (OSCE)
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN PARTICIPATING STATES Office of the Secretary General a. Support to ratification of key international treaties on Gender Equality gender-related issues Investing in Women Leadership in Peace and Mediation b. Preventing violence against women Advancing women’s meaningful participation The WPLP is a mentorship scheme that c. Ensuring women’s participation in public and political life in decision-making continues to be at the pairs 28 talented women from the core of the OSCE’s efforts. In December OSCE region and Afghanistan with 2021, Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid internationally renowned women d. Promoting equal opportunity for women in the economic sphere launched the OSCE Networking Platform for leaders. The YW4P brings young women’s Women’s Leaders, including Peacebuilders perspectives on peace and security to the e. Supporting women’s participation in conflict prevention, crisis and Mediators. Several initiatives have fore, ensuring that their voices are heard and been launched by this network, including their right to be included is respected. management and post-conflict reconstruction the Women Peace Leadership Programme (WPLP) and the Young Women for Peace Initiative (YW4P). Participants of the Young Women for Peace Initiative at the opening event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 15 April 2024. (OSCE/Chyngyz Zhanybekov)
Infographic: Overview of the OSCE Survey on the Well-being and Safety of Women
OSCE-led Survey on the Well-being and presented at the 68th annual Commission Safety of Women: Implemented in 2018 in on the Status of Women, provided the selected countries in South-Eastern Europe first analysis of the impact of corruption and Eastern Europe, this research examined on women’s access to water, land, forests violence that women experience in conflict and extractive industries. In co-operation and non-conflict settings, as well as the with the OSCE’s field operations, over 100 impact violence has on women and girls, counterparts and OSCE staff were trained including its lasting consequences. on gender mainstreaming in anti-corruption programming in Vienna, Tirana and Pristina. Addressing the link between corruption and gender inequality Engaging Men in Gender Equality at the OSCE: A Toolkit for OSCE Staff: Launched Since 2019, the OSCE has conducted in August 2022, this toolkit aims to inspire pioneering work on the nexus between and guide OSCE staff working in different P/C VERLT Networks meeting, Vienna, 20-23 October 2023. (OSCE) gender and corruption, mapping and executive structures in establishing Men for supporting legal and institutional mechanisms Gender Equality Groups that engage men in for the prevention and prosecution of corrupt the Organization to foster gender equality at Establishment of Regional Networks for practices that primarily affect women, such their workplace. Women Professionals in P/C VERLT as sexual extortion. In 2024, the preliminary findings of the Gender and corruption in Two new OSCE regional networks of women radicalization leading to terrorism (P/C the access to natural resources paper, professionals, committed to the prevention VERLT), were established in Central Asia and and countering of violent extremism and South-Eastern Europe. Conference and Language Services Conflict prevention
2014 Vienna, 30 April 2014 (OSCE/Micky Kroell)
Improving gender balance in panels: The conferences. A notable achievement is the OSCE has made significant progress shift from all-male panels to more inclusive in promoting gender diversity at its panels featuring both women and men.
2024 Participants of the ‘21st Staff Course for Women Leaders’ working on a group exercise on leadership and management, Dushanbe, 22 May 2018. (OSCE/Shamsi Myadyeva)
Strengthening Women’s Role in Security
Through the CPC-led Response to Asia. Within the RIAOR framework, the the Implications of the Situation in flagship OSCE Border Management Staff Afghanistan on the OSCE Region College in Dushanbe, established in 2009, (RIAOR) repository programme and seeks to strengthen women’s role in border framework, the Organization addresses agencies across the OSCE region, including the impacts of the situation in Afghanistan, in Central Asia, to tackle the constant and including gender-related aspects, together ever-evolving challenges emanating from with OSCE participating States in Central across the Afghan border.
Vienna, 15 April 2024 (OSCE/Micky Kroell) Support Programme for Ukraine
Combatting Trafficking and Online Exploitation
Amid the war, the Support Programme for Ukraine continues to support the National Police of Ukraine to strengthen their capacity to investigate crimes related Opening of the OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security training programme, Vienna, 6 November 2023. (OSCE) to trafficking in human beings, with a special emphasis on cyber-enabled crimes Since 2018 the OSCE Scholarship for Promoting women’s inclusion in peace and online child sexual exploitation. This Peace and Security training programme negotiations initiative is particularly impactful for women on conflict prevention and resolution through and children who are disproportionately arms control, disarmament and non- In the context of the OSCE’s engagement affected by such crimes. By addressing proliferation empowers youth, in particular in the Geneva International Discussions these gender-specific vulnerabilities, the women, to become active participants in since 2020, in close co-operation with the project is creating a safer environment and the field of politico-military security. In 2019, respective Chairpersonships and in support improving access to justice. The focus on the OSCE Mediation Support Team and of the Special Representative for the South multi-agency collaboration and practical Gender Issues Programme launched the first Caucasus, the OSCE team has followed a skill development ensures a more effective OSCE Toolkit on Inclusion of Women and structured, regular interaction with conflict- and efficient approach to combating these Effective Peace Processes with actionable affected women and—through its co-chairing crimes. recommendations to improve women’s function of this crucial format dealing with inclusion in all peace and security efforts. the consequences of the 2008 conflict in Georgia—better supported women’s participation in conflict prevention. The OSCE Mission to Moldova, together with the Mediation Support Team and the Gender Issues Programme, also worked to building capacities and trust among women negotiators in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process.
Simulation exercise to enhance stakeholder partnerships in addressing human trafficking and supporting victims, Lviv region, 24 April 2024. (OSCE/ Pierre Baussand) Transnational threats Economic and environmental activities
Participants during the OSCE course on gender-sensitive policing of violence against women and girls in Warsaw, 29 July 2022. (OSCE) Women from the Yaghnob Valley of Tajikistan with a solar parabolic cooker, 25 August 2023
Supporting law enforcement through Department has supported law enforcement Empowering Women to Lead the Energy proposal and secured funding from an gender-responsive policing in authorities in South-Eastern Europe by Transition in Central Asia and in water Austrian investor. She is now realizing her South-Eastern Europe raising awareness and organizing training management dream of building a solar-hydro hybrid power on gender stereotypes, and the causes plant in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. Building on the results of the 2019 OSCE- and effects of gender-based violence (GBV) Since 2022, the OCEEA has empowered The OCEEA, together with the Regional led Survey on the Well-being and Safety among justice practitioners and the public. over 400 women in Central Asia to Environmental Centre for Central Asia and of Women, the Transnational Threats lead the energy transition through the Stockholm International Water Institute, mentoring, networking and scholarships. also established the Women in Water Border Security— One success story is that of Kyzzhibek Management Network in Central Asia and Inclusive Security for all Ryszhanova, CEO of a small clean-energy Afghanistan, which is considered a best company, who improved her investment practice in the global water community. Within two years of its establishment in 2017, the OSCE Mediterranean Points of Contact Network in Border Security and Management saw its female membership rise to 30 per cent, owed to the Organization’s “Empowering women in water diplomacy advocacy on the necessity to engage with women working in border services. These and recognizing gender dynamics is women had a strong impact on the Network by providing their perspective, sharing not just a matter of fairness; it’s a strategic their challenges and having a voice and seat at the table. One of them is Colonel- imperative for achieving water security, Major Zaineb Gharbi, Deputy Director of Air Borders (Tunisia), who joined the Network promoting inclusive governance and building as Commander in 2018 and was promoted to her current rank thanks to her dedication, resilient communities”. expertise and impressive work ethic. Gulzhan Makhmudova, Network Kyrgyzstan Colonel-Major Zaineb Gharbi, Director of Air Borders, Border Police, Tunisia, during the Inauguration Ceremony with H.E Kais Saied, President of Tunisia, 2024 Combating trafficking in human beings Department of Human Resources
Promoting Gender-Sensitive Approaches promoted gender-sensitive approaches to to Combat Human Trafficking combating human trafficking in line with relevant OSCE commitments, including to Gender considerations should be inherent prevent violence against women. This work to an effective response to trafficking in has encompassed policy papers, advocacy, human beings. Since its early days, the capacity-building and contributions to Office of the OSCE Special Representative national and international forums and and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in mechanisms. Human Beings (OSR/CTHB) has consistently
PSEA Focal Points Workshop at the Secretariat, Vienna, 15 September 2023. (OSCE)
Enhancing Accountability: OSCE’s PSEA Focal Points Initiative
DHR co-ordinated the establishment of the In collaboration with the OSR/CTHB and PSEA Focal Points network, appointing in the Gender Issues Unit, DHR hosted a each OSCE executive structure a minimum dedicated workshop for the newly appointed of two PSEA Focal Points, one male and one PSEA Focal Points to equip them with the female. Their responsibilities include serving necessary knowledge and tools essential for as reporting channel for receiving SEA effectively fulfilling their roles. complaints and actively contributing to PSEA awareness campaigns. A gender audit toolkit for election Institutions administrations
ODIHR conducted pioneering gender audits of the election administrations in North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights between 2020 and 2022. Drawing on ODIHR’s previous experience, a gender (ODIHR) audit toolkit was developed to assess the gender-responsiveness of election administrations across all 57 OSCE participating States. As a public authority, the election administration should be representative of wider society, and it has primary responsibility for ensuring inclusive participation in elections. Conducting gender audits of election management bodies is a good practice for ensuring that women and men benefit equally from the work of Central Election Commission of Albania (Elvis Dako) the election administration and the electoral process overall.
Coercive sterilization of Roma women: Increasing gender equality in Ukraine justice and reparations for victims ODIHR helped found the Ukrainian Across the OSCE region, Roma women Gender Advisers Network, in partnership have been subjected to coerced sterilization, with Ukraine’s Commissioner for Gender which is among the most egregious violations Policy. Since its establishment in 2021, of women’s rights. Roma women have fought the network has proved its relevance and Women’s Parliament event in Montenegro, May 2022 (Parliament of Montenegro) for many years to obtain compensation continued to promote the development of for what they have suffered. ODIHR has gender-sensitive policies at both regional Enhancing gender equality in national provided a platform for dialogue between and national level. ODIHR supported the parliaments governments, victims of sterilization, and civil network’s efforts to carry out training and society organizations working with them, encourage networking, helping to empower Since 2016, ODIHR has been supporting As a result, the parliaments of North on access to justice and compensation. the network’s participants in their work. In national parliaments across the OSCE region Macedonia and Montenegro are The Office has also supported the efforts September 2023, ODIHR organized a study to increase their gender sensitivity, helping implementing gender equality action plans of Roma women in raising awareness of visit to the Czech Republic for 20 Ukrainian to ensure they can deliver for all women and that aim to address recommendations from the problem and advocating for solutions. gender advisers, where they learned about men. So far, ODIHR has carried out gender ODIHR’s audits and serve as a role model ODIHR’s work in this area led to the adoption innovative approaches and policies that can audits of parliaments in Montenegro, North for other democratic institutions in their of compensation legislation in the Czech be adapted for use in their country, including Macedonia, Malta, Kyrgyzstan, Slovenia and countries. Republic. at times of war. Portugal.
Elena Gorolova, Roma women’s rights defender and advocate (Yan Renelt) OSCE Parliamentary Assembly High Commissioner on National Minorities (OSCE PA) (HCNM)
The Gender Lunch hosted by the OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues Dr. Hedy Fry at the 30th Annual Session of the Schoolchildren during a class at a school piloting multilingual education, Jalal-Abad, 4 September 2014. (OSCE/Eric Gourlan) OSCE PA in Vancouver. 2 July 2023 (OSCE PA/Anna Di Domenico)
Gender Lunch as an integral part of Multilingual education: Creating OSCE PA Annual Sessions equal chances for everyone
The Gender Lunch, initiated by the OSCE The event raises visibility and awareness, Evidence collected by the HCNM’s office enhanced awareness of gender rights, which PA Special Representative on Gender inspiring further action and commitment to from its programmes in Kazakhstan and empower young women and their families Issues, is a key event at the OSCE PA’s gender equality within participating States Kyrgyzstan illustrates the transformative to make more informed choices about their Annual Sessions. As the only side event and support for the OSCE PA’s resolutions impact of multilingual education. In these futures. As such, multilingual education focused entirely on gender issues, it brings on women’s rights. countries, tailored education policies that contributes to young people, including together parliamentarians for discussions include instruction in multiple languages have minority women and girls, having increasingly on promoting gender equality within the been linked to a decrease in the rates of early equal opportunities to play an active role in Organization and OSCE national parliaments. marriage among girls. This shift is attributed their societies. to improved educational outcomes and Representative on Freedom of the Media Field Operations (RFoM) Mission to Moldova
Excerpt from the documentary “A Dark Place” (2018), directed by Javier Luque. Quote from journalist Ana Pastor Gender Bridge Hubs activities on gender equality, conflict resolution in partnerships, available protection services, Chisinau, Gender-Centru, 2022.
Empowering Women in Media Empowering Youth for Gender Equality
The Safety of Female Journalists Online a safer online environment. By involving Since 2017, the Mission has supported gender stereotypes. The Mission also (#SOFJO) is the RFOM’s longest-running women in research, policy formulation awareness-raising activities through the developed a Gender Bridge Hub handbook project, initiated in 2015. As the sole gender- and public speaking, #SOFJO empowers creation of Gender Hubs that focus on on GBV identification, referrals using focused initiative, it strives to promote gender them to become agents of change. This promoting gender equality and healthy legal and regulatory mechanisms, and equality in the media. #SOFJO is dedicated project not only works to prevent violence family lifestyles in vocational schools and psychological first aid for educational to preventing violence against women and but also enhances women’s leadership universities, covering especially rural areas professionals to integrate gender fostering their active involvement in public and participation in the media and public across both banks of the Dniester/Nistru mainstreaming through education into their life. It specifically addresses online violence discourse. River. To build an inclusive, open and safe work. The national ownership of efforts against female journalists, offering resources society, starting with the engagement of towards the eradication of GBV is gradually and guidelines to create young citizens, the Mission conducted increasing during the implementation of the various training sessions for vocational Mission’s projects, engaging local authorities schoolteachers on how to break persistent and NGOs on both banks. Presence in Albania Mission in Kosovo
Empowering Women’s Political 2023 local elections 677 councillor seats Advancing Women’s Rights and caucus in the Kosovo Assembly and Participation (42 per cent) were won by women. The Opportunities in Kosovo supported its work to include the Istanbul Presence has long focused on political Convention in the Constitution and to draft The Presence played a pivotal role in 2018¬– representation and empowerment of women Since its earliest days the Mission has been the first law on violence against women. 2020 putting together a proposal anchoring on the local level. Since 2019, the Presence working to improve the position of women Most recently, the Mission’s awareness- gender equality in the electoral code. Co- has championed the OSCE Women’s in Kosovo. Through supporting legislation raising workshops on inheritance and ordinating and promoting recommendations Municipal Excellence Programme, tailored that ensures gender representation on property ownership rights reached hundreds of an ad hoc Working Group on Gender to increasing capacities and facilitating ballot papers, gender-responsive municipal of women from different communities and Equality and Women, the 2020 amendments participation and networking opportunities budgets and equal inheritance rights, it contributed to 8,137 women registering to the Electoral Code included a gender for women engaged in local politics. More provided women with more opportunities to property in 2023 (compared to 104 in quota. The move created an environment than 80 women councillors have joined this be heard and contribute to society. In 2005, 2016). conducive to increased political participation programme so far. the Mission helped establish a women’s of women, with the result that in the
Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Mission to Serbia
Meeting of Presidents of Women’s Forums and representatives of biggest political parties, Sarajevo, 4 June 2024. (OSCE Mission to BiH/ Participants of the 9th edition of the OSCE Dialogue Academy for Young Women hold their certificates of completion. Struga, North Zejd Kadric) Macedonia, 15 October 2023. (OSCE/Fitim Xharra)
Empowering Women in Politics main political parties and improving statutes Fostering Dialogue: Ten years of the to overcome communication barriers, and election rules, introduction of party Dialogue Academy for Young Women deconstruct stereotypes and engage in The Mission was a main driver for the voluntary quotas, development of gender constructive exchanges through peer introduction of a 30 per cent quota of women action plans, and capacity-building for female Since 2014, the Mission to Serbia and the learning, coaching and mentoring. It aims representation in the Election Law of BiH candidates. In 2024, with the Mission’s Mission in Kosovo have supported the OSCE to build relationships among young women adopted in 1997. This took the participation facilitation, 10 major political parties agreed Dialogue Academy for Young Women from from diverse communities, focusing on of women in parliaments from below five jointly on Principles for the Engagement Belgrade and Prishtinë/Priština, enabling gender equality and women’s empowerment. per cent to 30 percent in the 1998 state- of Political Parties in Eliminating Violence critical exchanges on women’s roles in The Alumni network counts over 200 level elections. The Mission’s engagement against Women. conflict mediation and reconciliation. The participants who act as change-makers in continues, with a focus on working with the OSCE offers a platform for young women their respective societies and in the region. Centre in Ashgabat
Conference of Serbia’s Women Parliamentary Network, a cross-party network of women parliamentarians, gathering women MPs, local councilors, and national minority councils’ representatives at a joint session, Belgrade, 15 December 2017. (OSCE/Milan Obradovic)
20 years of gender equality mechanisms the WPN worked to empower women in in parliament politics at the local level and successfully steered the advancement of gender equality In 2013, following the introduction of gender policy in Serbia, including through the early representation quotas, the Mission to adoption of the Istanbul Convention in Serbia in partnership with local civil society 2013, introduction of gender-sensitive supported the formation of the cross-party budgeting in 2015 and continuous informal Women’s Parliamentary Network advocacy for the Law on Gender Equality, (WPN) in the National Assembly (at the time finally adopted in 2021. involving all 83 women MPs). The MPs in
Participants successfully completing the seminar on ethics and psychology of family relations organized by “Keyik Okara”, Ashgabat
Mission to Skopje 2018
Promoting gender equality and 15 Years of Empowerment: OSCE inclusion in the police force and Keyik Okara’s Efforts Against Domestic Violence In 2018, the Mission to Skopje introduced a Gender Mentoring Programme to promote gender For over 15 years, the Centre in Ashgabat Since the launch of the project, Keyik Okara equality and inclusion in the police force. Since the has partnered with the NGO Keyik Okara conducts annual seminars on the ethics and programme’s inception, over 150 police officers to provide support and protection to psychology of family relations. More than 200 have been trained, leading to a 5.3 per cent the survivors of GBV, including legal, people have participated in a total of 25 increase of women in senior management psychological and financial support, seminars targeting women, youth and positions within the police. In 2023, the provided through a hotline and a shelter. government officials since 2018. programme was handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, marking a significant milestone in its operation and transferring responsibility for its continued implementation and oversight.
Police Training Centre students and Suza Trajkovska, Assistant Minister and Director of the Police Training Centre under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia. Programme Office in Bishkek Programme Office in Dushanbe
International Conference on the Global Agenda “Women, Peace, and Security: Problems and Development Prospects”, Bishkek, Kyrgyz A group of women and girls take part in self-defence training at an OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centre in Kulyab, Tajikistan, 1 Republic, 06 June 2023. (OSCE/Gennady Kornienko) August 2013. (OSCE/Mavjuda Gaffurova)
Empowering Women in Kyrgyzstan In 2017, the POiB supported the Empowering Women: OSCE’s IMPACT establishment of the first Kyrgyz Association Support for Women’s Resource The Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) of Women in the Security Sector and, in Centres in Tajikistan 14 WRCs has prioritized increasing women’s political 2023, supported this body in organizing participation in Kyrgyzstan, leading to the a high-level event on Women, Peace, Since 2004, the OSCE has supported a Since 2004, 26,800 victims establishment of a 30% gender quota in and Security: Problems and Development network of Women’s Resource Centres (92% women) reached Parliament and local councils in 2019. Prospects in Bishkek, with the participation (WRCs) across Tajikistan, offering vulnerable Since then, the proportion of women in of Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid women in remote areas psychosocial 80,620 legal and 73,620 psychological local councils has nearly quadrupled. The and Kyrgyz First Deputy Minister of the counselling, legal advice, and vocational consultations provided POiB has also trained women nationwide, Interior Adylbek Biybosunov. During the training. The WRCs contribute to Sustainable including rural areas, on running for office event, a Memorandum of Understanding Development Goal 5, which aims to eliminate 27,960 vocational training graduates; and governing effectively. Over 70 women was signed between the Association and the all forms of violence against women and girls 97% found jobs and income trained by POiB have been elected as local Pakistan Research Center for a Community (VAWG) in the public and private spheres, councillors, earning the Office the 2021 with Shared Future, to empower women in including human trafficking and all forms of 333,580 community members learned Gender Champions Award. the security sector through research and joint exploitation. about healthy relationships, VAWG, projects. and improved communication Programme Office in Astana Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan
Programme Office in Astana Award ceremony following a micro-business training (OSCE) “Empowering Survivors: Addressing Human Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence” (POiA Akbota Sarzhanova)
Empowering Survivors: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Addressing Human Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence Since 2021, the Project Co-ordinator has entrepreneurial start-up called Coozin. Initially contributed to training over 2,000 women on launched for homemade food sales, this To respond to a 40 per cent rise in domestic Programme Office assisted 13 private crisis micro-business development in Uzbekistan. digital initiative now includes a marketplace violence cases in Kazakhstan during the centres across eight regions of Kazakhstan This project was designed during the and an educational platform to convey COVID-19 pandemic, the Programme Office with expert services, enabling shelters COVID-19 pandemic to help generate business, marketing, sales and other key in Astana championed a multi-year initiative to offer comprehensive legal, social and household income. It supports women’s self- skills, with the aim of expanding its range of to protect survivors of GBV and human psychological support to 3,594 persons employment in Uzbekistan’s regions by services beyond the culinary field. trafficking. As this is a huge burden for state affected by domestic violence and human deploying digital tools and facilitating a social shelters to address alone, the trafficking. OSCE Secretariat Office of the Secretary General Gender Issues Programme Wallnerstrasse 6 1010 Vienna, Austria
Email: equality@osce.org www.osce.org/secretariat/gender