Gender equality and full participation of women key OSCE priorities, says Chairperson

ATHENS, 9 March 2009 - Gender equality is not only a goal in its own right, but is critical to achieving OSCE goals of comprehensive security, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, today.

"Security begins with the full respect of the rights of every individual. As such, the equality between women and men and the full participation of women in decision making remain at the heart of OSCE concerns," she said, marking International Women's Day.

Gender equality is a priority of the 2009 Greek OSCE Chairmanship.

The OSCE participating States adopted the Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality in 2004, but progress, although steady, has been slight in all main areas, and gender mainstreaming efforts need to be intensified across OSCE programmes and policies, said Jamila Seftaoui, OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues.

"Perhaps more than any other marker, the status of women and gender (in)equalities are the indicators that reveal best the state of democratic governance of any country," she said, adding that gender imbalances in management positions within the OSCE itself must also be addressed.

International Women's Day, on 8 March, is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women.

On 11 March the OSCE gender section is hosting an expert meeting to discuss the role of women in conflict prevention, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation and peace processes.