Publications

This publication contains a collection of interviews with Albanian women politicians about their beginnings, successes and challenges. It is being published by the OSCE Presence in Albania as part of its activities to increase women's participation in the political and public life.

The Manual represents an important step in supporting the functioning of local gender equality commissions as well as designated focal points for gender equality in the administration. The Manual includes various ways to implement the Law on Gender Equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnia and Herzegovina Gender Action Plan adopted for the period from 2013 to 2017.

This report presents the proceedings and outcomes of the first Gender Equality Review Conference held in the year of the 10th anniversary of the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality. The report shows an example of how political will and leadership can strengthen the awareness and understanding of the important link between gender equality and comprehensive security.

Based on the assumption that natural disasters can have different effects on men and women, the OSCE Mission to Serbia supported the development of a publication on the impact of May 2014 flooding in Serbia from a gender perspective. The research was conducted in order to identify and document gender-specific differences regarding flood risk, inform the public, formulate a set of recommendations and offer them to responsible authorities to improve gender sensitive planning in emergency management. Results of the research show that the most vulnerable groups during natural disasters are the elderly, people with disabilities, single mothers and women who live alone in their households. Illiterate residents (mostly women and Roma) are also among the vulnerable categories. The research also reveals that the basis of community vulnerability in emergency situations lies in an undeveloped systemic approach to dissemination of information during natural disasters and lack of community training on practices of effective reactions during floods. The publication is available in both Serbian and English.

The handbook draws on international and Ukrainian experience to provide insights on the need and ways of introducing gender-based approaches and gender-sensitive practices in media. It covers, inter alia, the following issues: importance of gender issues for journalists and media; connections

This study has been launched in order to address the issues surrounding the implementation of the commitments by the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325). It contains an analysis of the 27 National Action Plans on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the OSCE region. The aim of the study is to provide tangible tools for action for the revision or development of such plans. It highlights common challenges and shares good practices from the OSCE region. The examples presented in the document aspire also to offer entry points for closer co-operation with civil society on implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, e.g. through cross-learning exercises with practitioners. It further draws attention to both domestic and international elements of National Action Plans and underlines the relevance of creating and maintaining national capacity on UNSCR 1325 at home and abroad.

This report evaluates progress made in mainstreaming gender issues in OSCE structures and the working environment.

The publication “Violence in the Family in the Republic of Moldova. Judicial practice and national and European normative acts” has been compiled by the OSCE Mission to Moldova in partnership with NGO “Honour and Rights of Contemporary Women” from Balti and Causeni Law Centre. It is intended for the use of legal professionals responsible for examining cases of domestic violence. It contains the national legislation on preventing and combating domestic violence, along with the European Convention and its Explanatory Commentary on preventing and combating domestic violence, and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights against the Republic of Moldova on cases of domestic violence. The publication is available in Romanian only.

This Handbook on Promoting Women’s Participation in Political Parties aims at encouraging political party leaders, men and women alike, to support the integration of gender aspects into internal political party decision-making processes. It also seeks to develop the capacity of women politicians to advance their political careers. The key finding that has emerged during the development of this handbook is that internal party reform is critical to women’s advancement. A lack of internal party democracy and transparency, the absence of gender-sensitivity in candidate selection and outreach, as well as the failure to decentralize party decision-making processes, all inhibit women’s opportunities to advance as leaders within parties and as candidates for elected office. To this end, the handbook provides a valuable overview of voluntary measures that political parties can adopt to enhance gender equality within party structures, processes, policies and activities, as a means to provide both women and men equal opportunities to participate meaningfully in the political life of OSCE participating States.

This guidance note on Integrating Gender into Oversight of the Security Sector by Ombuds Institutions & National Human Rights Institutions, developed by OSCE/ODIHR, DCAF and the OSCE Gender Section is a practical resource for ombuds institutions and NHRIs, and those who support them. It can help an ombuds institution or NHRI engage more effectively with police, militaries and other security sector institutions to monitor and reinforce how the human rights of men and women working there are upheld. It can strengthen oversight of how well police and others meet the needs of communities.