OSCE's senior gender adviser visits Belarus

MINSK, 25 November 2008 - Jamila Seftaoui, the OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, began a two-day visit to Minsk today linked to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the publication of a joint UN-OSCE survey on violence against women in Belarus.

During her visit, Seftaoui will meet representatives of the Government and civil society to brief them on the results of an OSCE seminar on combating violence against women that took place in Dushanbe in October. She will also discuss how the OSCE can support Belarus in its efforts to combat violence against women and on mainstreaming gender in the Organization's projects for Belarus.

"For a peaceful, prosperous and democratic existence, it is essential that women and men are able to exercise their human rights fully and equally,"said Seftaoui. "Gender equality contributes to comprehensive security."