Gender mainstreaming focus of OSCE-supported course in parliament of Montenegro

Gender mainstreaming in the parliament of Montenegro was the focus of a training course organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in co-operation with the Parliamentary Committee for Gender Equality on 23 and 24 April 2018 in Podgorica.

The course was part of the education on gender equality and gender mainstreaming envisaged by the Action Plan for a Gender Sensitive Parliament, developed and adopted by the Committee with the support of the Mission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Some 18 members of parliament and service staff of the parliamentary committees examined basic concepts on human rights and gender equality, gender mainstreaming in institutions and political representation of women. Through interactive presentations, discussions and work in groups, the participants had the opportunity to exchange opinions and discuss gender, media, political system and public policies.

Lia Magnaguagno, OSCE Democratization Programme Manager and Sanja Pavicevic, Member of Parliament and of the Committee for Gender Equality, stressed the importance of changes made within the parliament, insofar as it is the core institution in any democracy.

“The changes one initiates within the parliament will reflect changes in society,” said Magnaguagno. 

Pavicevic emphasized the importance of the Action Plan: “Continuous education in the area of gender equality, as well as continuous co-operation between the Mission and the parliament is of key importance.”

These joint efforts in the area of gender education will continue with two additional training courses on gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting.