Secretariat

In 2000, the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 called for women's protection from gender-based violence, as well as an increase in the representation of women at all decision-making levels in the security field. It recognized that women have a vital role to play in conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. Even though women often suffer disproportionately worse in war and armed conflict than men, their views, opinions and insights are continuously underrepresented throughout these processes.

In June 2005, the OSCE States led by Sweden participated in an Expert Seminar on Women in Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management. This addressed the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 within the OSCE.

This was followed in December 2005 by the adoption of Ministerial Council Decision 14/05 on Women in Conflict Prevention, Crisis Management and Post-Conflict Rehabilitation. This Decision integrates the UN commitments into the Organization's own obligations and provides for the OSCE to take action in the areas of recruitment, programming and reporting.