OSCE staff recognized for outstanding efforts in promoting gender equality

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger acknowledged exceptional efforts and achievements of OSCE staff members in promoting gender equality in the OSCE and beyond at an award ceremony that took place on 12 March 2020, in Vienna.

Six staff members and one project received the OSCE Gender Champions Award, which recognizes significant contribution in advancing gender equality in four categories. John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, received the Leadership Award. He was recognized for launching the “Men Engage Network” in Uzbekistan to raise awareness about the important role men can play in the elimination of violence against women.

Jasmina Ilić and Marija Sekulović from the OSCE Mission to Serbia received the Staff Member Award for launching an initiative that focuses on empowering women in leadership positions in the notarial profession, administrative judiciary and institutions dealing with the fight against corruption in Serbia.

The Gender Focal Point award was presented to a team and one individual. Zorana Antonijević from the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Saša Gavrić from the OSCE Mission to Skopje were recognized for their joint efforts in providing training on gender mainstreaming and supporting the development of gender action plans of OSCE executive structures. Another award in the same category was presented to Eugenia Reznikowa from the OSCE Secretariat, who designed and implemented a training course with a gender perspective for staff in border agencies from the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek received an award in the project category for its project aimed at increasing women’s representation in local councils in Kyrgyzstan.

Secretary General Greminger, who is a member of the International Gender Champions Network, stressed how important gender equality is for the OSCE as an organization. “Each staff member has an important role to play in promoting gender equality on a daily basis and creating a work environment that provides equal opportunities for men and women,” he said.

“I am very glad to have the opportunity to recognize some of the outstanding efforts and achievements of OSCE staff members and teams that are an inspiration to other colleagues in OSCE departments and field operations,” the Secretary General concluded.