Number of women in OSCE senior positions up, but gender equality challenges remain, finds report

VIENNA, 24 September 2009 - The OSCE has made strides in promoting gender equality and mainstreaming gender in its programmes and projects but further work is needed, found a report presented to the OSCE's participating States today.

The OSCE's annual evaluation report on implementation of the 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, which was presented to the Permanent Council by OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, noted achievements in recruitment, mainstreaming and the promotion of gender equality in priority fields in participating States.

According to the report, women now account for 24 percent of senior manager positions, an increase from 19 percent last year. Among the professional staff, the OSCE has achieved almost full parity with women holding 45 percent of all professional posts.

"This result is admirable, but we need to carry on our concerted efforts to consolidate this positive trend in 2010 and beyond," said de Brichambaut.

Under the Action Plan, which was adopted by all 56 participating states, the OSCE makes gender equality between men and women a priority when it comes to the staffing and work environment in OSCE's executive structures, to the formulation of policies and the implementation of field projects.

While the report noted the commitment shown by the OSCE's executive structures on improving the share of women in the OSCE, the continued mainstreaming of gender across themes of the three dimensions of the Organization's security work remains a pressing challenge.

The report also underscored the need for sustained commitment from the participating States.

"The participating States of the OSCE need to share responsibility to build on and surpass our current achievements, especially when it comes to nominating more women for senior positions," said Ambassador Mara Marinaki of Greece. Gender equality and gender mainstreaming are priorities of the 2009 Greek OSCE Chairmanship.