Gender equality in economic and environmental activities

Commitment

A growing body of evidence indicates that gender equality contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable growth, and that better education for women and their participation in the labour force leads to improved economic performance. Recognizing these findings, the foreign ministers of the participating States adopted in 2011 a decision that tasked the OSCE to promote equal opportunities for women in the economic sphere. This document guides and directs the Organization’s work in this field.

Research and related impact assessments over the last decades have also shown the importance of the linkage between environmental security and gender roles. Women play decisive roles in managing and preserving biodiversity, water, land and other natural resources at the local level. On the flipside, environmental degradation affects the most vulnerable parts of society more than others, which often means mainly women and children. Based on the tenets of the 2014 Action Plan for the promotion of gender equality, the OSCE also supports women’s empowerment in the environmental sphere.