Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Protection from domestic violence urgently needed for women and children under stay-at-home orders, say OSCE officials
Publishing date: 2 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Human rights, Gender equality
VIENNA / COPENHAGEN / WARSAW, 2 April 2020 – Noting a troubling rise in domestic violence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and self-isolation guidelines in many countries, OSCE leaders called today for measures to be taken by governments to protect women and children. They said that unfortunately, for them home is not always a safe haven, as they are the most susceptible to abuse and need increased protection in these extraordinary times and urged authorities to ensure that they are kept safe from abusers.
ODIHR encourages Belarus to continue work on strengthened judicial independence, promotion of human rights and support for women leaders
Publishing date: 27 February 2020
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Gender equality, Rule of law
Greater efforts and co-operation are needed to achieve a more independent justice system, educate citizens about human rights and strengthen women’s leadership in Belarus, said Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), addressing
ODIHR launches first ever guidance on preventing sexual violence in detention
Publishing date: 23 September 2019
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights, Gender equality
Understanding the root causes of, and dynamics involved in, sexual and gender-based violence in the context of detention in order to improve protection strategies was the focus of an event held on 23 September 2019 in Warsaw on the margins of the OSCE’s annual human rights conference, the Human
ODIHR Women’s power breakfast highlights importance of women’s participation to peace and security
Publishing date: 20 September 2019
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights, Gender equality
The continuing – and in some places increasing – exclusion of women from participating in security strategies and implementation were the focus of the annual Women’s Power Breakfast organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 20 September 2019, on
OSCE/ODIHR events support civil society’s engagement in implementing Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Kyrgyzstan
Publishing date: 16 November 2018
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights, Gender equality
Increasing civil society’s potential to partner with state institutions in implementing the recently adopted action plan on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in Kyrgyzstan was the focus of two capacity building events, which the OSCE Office for
Promoting the participation of under-represented groups vital in truly democratic societies, says OSCE/ODIHR Director ahead of International Day of Democracy
Publishing date: 14 September 2018
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Gender equality, Roma and Sinti, Youth
WARSAW, 13 September 2018 – More must be done to promote the participation of under-represented groups in political decision making if we are to ensure effective, truly democratic governance and societies, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said today, ahead of tomorrow’s International Day of Democracy.
Enhancing women’s participation in the armed forces focus of annual OSCE discussion on the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security
Publishing date: 13 June 2018
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Forum for Security Co-operation, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights, Conflict prevention and resolution, Gender equality
VIENNA, 13 June 2018 – Ways to enhance women’s participation in the armed forces were a key area of focus at this year’s Annual Discussion on the Implementation of the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, held today in Vienna. Representatives of the OSCE participating States shared their experiences on implementing the Code, a unique and fundamental document which aims to regulate the role of armed forces in democratic societies...