OSCE states must do more to advance women's political participation, gender equality, says OSCE Chairperson

ASTANA, 8 March 2010 - Sustainable peace and stability can only be achieved with the participation of women as equal partners with men, and OSCE states must do more to fulfil commitments to promote gender equality, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, State Secretary and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev on International Women's Day today.

"The OSCE states are engaged in a high-level dialogue on the future of European security, and it is critical that we take this opportunity to reinvigorate efforts to achieve gender equality and involve women in addressing our common security challenges," said Saudabayev.

"Sustainable progress towards peace and stability, economic prosperity and democracy requires the full participation and empowerment of women, and although we can be proud of the progress that has been made we still have a long way to go."

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

"2010 marks the tenth anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, and the empowerment of women and the integration of a gender perspective in all OSCE policies and activities are priorities of Kazakhstan's OSCE Chairmanship," said Saudabayev.