Gender equality within the OSCE

A work environment free from harassment, discrimination and retaliation

Another important element is the establishment of an inclusive, enabling and bias-free work culture, a prerequisite for sustainable progress on gender equality and gender parity. To provide a working environment that is free of harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation, the Organization has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and requires that managers, human resources officials and investigators address all allegations of unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature promptly and with the utmost seriousness.

Men for gender equality

To engage everyone on equal terms in the OSCE’s strive for gender equality, the Organization created the initiative Men for Gender Equality, which works on fostering gender equality in the workplace by promoting equal treatment and opportunities for women and men and speaking out against gender-related inequalities. Staff that are part of the initiative act as role models and take action in a broad band of fields, including by ensuring that OSCE leadership promotes an inclusive and bias-free work culture, creating effective consultation structures of consultation among male and female staff members, and working with women’s rights organizations to promote gender equality at the OSCE.