The Young Women’s Political Academy
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ODIHR is organizing the Young Women’s Political Academy to improve skills, knowledge and capacities of young women in politics or entering politics to strengthen their meaningful participation in elected public offices at all levels of decision-making in line with OSCE/ODIHR commitments.
This five-day training brings together about 20 young women politicians to set up a creative space for exchanges and capacity building. The programme will provide insights into the democratic processes, women’s political participation, as well as on violence against women in politics. Participants will engage with peers in interactive sessions on leadership, campaigning and lobbying, building alliances and networks, negotiating and much more. Young women will have a chance to participate in the OSCE Ministerial Council simulation exercise to test their drafting, negotiation and presentation skills, as well as to familiarise themselves with the OSCE’s central decision-making and governing body. Prominent women politicians will share their experiences and lessons learnt with participants.
The Academy will cover the following topics:
- International standards and OSCE/ODIHR commitments on gender equality, women’s political participation and decision-making as well as on violence against women in politics;
- OSCE and country-related information on gender equality in politics;
- Insights into the democratic process and politics;
- Relevant skills and knowledge, including leadership skills, strategies for advocacy and lobbying, building alliances and networks, fundraising for campaigns, presentation and communication skills, engaging with the media.
The Academy is organized in the framework of the ODIHR project ”Capitalizing on the Human Dimension Mandate to Advance Gender Equality” (CHANGE).
Background:
The 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality sets out OSCE priorities in promoting gender equality in the Organization and in all 57 participating States. The Action Plan mandates ODIHR to “assist participating States in promoting women’s political participation” and “assist in the development and implementation of specific programmes and activities to promote women’s rights, to increase the role of women at all levels of decision-making, and to promote equality between women and men throughout the OSCE area, particularly through education in gender awareness".
Eligible candidates:
ODIHR invites applications from women politicians up to the age of 35, coming from the following OSCE participating States: Georgia, North Macedonia and Uzbekistan.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Women born after 1 January 1986;
- Nationals of Georgia, North Macedonia or Uzbekistan;
- Elected in the parliament or regional/local governances OR run at least once in national, regional or local elections OR political party members OR civil initiatives running for elections;
- Preferably with professional proficiency in English or Russian.
The working languages of the Academy will be English and Russian. Interpretation in other languages will be considered depending on the needs of participants. It is essential that prospective participants secure their in-person presence for the indicated dates.
Costs:
Accommodation, meals and travel costs, as well as the costs of potentially required COVID-19 tests, will be covered by ODIHR.
Application process:
Please use the following link to fill in the application form: https://bit.ly/3DNq34C
Deadline for applications: 14 November 2021, 23:59 CET.
The organizers encourage all candidates, including the Roma and Sinti and national minorities, irrespective of disability, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. Please let us know should you require interpretation or assistance related to disability in order to complete the application process.
All applicants will be informed about the outcome of their application by 12 November 2021.
For further information and enquiries, please contact sara.haapalainen@odihr.pl and nina.chanturia@odihr.pl.