OSCE Special Representative on Gender Issues visits Belarus
MINSK, 19 December 2014 – Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Gender Issues June Zeitlin today concluded a two-day country visit to Belarus, during which she focused primarily on domestic violence and also discussed women’s political participation as well as anti-discrimination protection.
During the visit, Zeitlin met with Deputy Foreign Minister Elena N. Kupchina, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection Marianna A. Shchetkina and representatives of the International Training Centre on Migration and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings of the Academy of the Ministry of Interior.
She also met the Chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Permanent Commission on Health Care, Physical Culture, Family and Youth Policy Alexander V. Tsetsokho, and Vice-Chairperson of the Council of the Republic’s Permanent Commission on Training, Science, Culture and Social Development Tamara S. Dolgoshey and other members of these Commissions.
Zeitlin also held meetings with representatives of the UN and local non-governmental organizations.
“I am pleased to see the government’s attention to combating domestic violence and its interest in taking further steps to respond to this human rights challenge”, said Zeitlin.
As a result of the country visit to Belarus, the Special Representative will issue a report, which will include specific recommendations on how to improve the implementation of OSCE gender equality commitments.
This is Zeitlin’s third country visit in 2014 under the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship and the first visit of the OSCE Special Representatives on Gender Issues to Belarus.
2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality. Significant activities carried out throughout the year to enhance gender equality under the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship have led to a strong political commitment by participating States at the Ministerial Council in Basel earlier this month. Two ministerial decisions on preventing and combating violence against women and advancing gender equality were adopted by consensus.