OSCE promotes women’s political participation in Armenia

YEREVAN, 2 December 2011 – Measures to increase the number of women candidates nominated by Armenian political parties was the focus of a roundtable discussion organized today by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Representatives from political parties discussed how to increase women’s participation in political life as well as best practices in advancing women as leaders, decision-makers and candidates.

“Women leaders play an essential role in the development of robust democratic societies and sustainable political systems,” said Carel Hofstra, the Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “In the run-up to the parliamentary elections in May 2012, the OSCE is looking to support the country to ensure the elections are free and fair. In addition, an election cannot possibly fulfill OSCE commitments unless it includes the opportunity for full and equal participation by women.”

The meeting was part of ODIHR’s continuing work to strengthen the democratic functioning of political parties and electoral processes, in line with OSCE commitments on political party pluralism and equal representation.

“ODIHR supports the political party reform process in Armenia by sharing good practices in democratic governance and women’s political participation from across the OSCE region,” said Diana Digol, ODIHR Project Officer.

During the meeting, participants were presented with the ODIHR-supported study, Gender Equality in Elected Office: A Six-Step Action Plan, which identifies trends in women’s political participation in the OSCE region and introduces concrete strategies for enhancing women’s role in public life.

The findings of a study on the gender dimension of civic and political participation in Armenia, prepared with the support of the United Nations Population Fund and the OSCE Office in Yerevan, were also discussed.

The roundtable will be followed by a two-day intensive training course for women candidates from several political parties. The training will focus on developing political skills in the areas of platform development, effective campaigning and relations with the media.