Fields of work

Gender equality

Equal rights and opportunities for women and men are essential to peace, stability, democracy and sustainable economic and environmental development. The OSCE actively pursues this agenda across its entire region.

This content is available in: English, Русский Factsheet

Factsheet: Gender equality

DateDateLocationLocation

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Our challenge

Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.

Gender equality has increasingly been found to be directly correlated with the state of security and stability in a society. States that have lower levels of gender inequality are less likely to resort to the use of force, for example. On the other hand, where conflict persists, gender equality is often eroded. In other words, gender equality is a marker of peace and security. Consequently, the OSCE recognizes that equal rights and opportunities for women and men are essential to peace, democracy and sustainable economic and environmental development.

The full and equal exercise by women of their human rights is essential to achieve a more peaceful, prosperous and democratic OSCE area. We are committed to making equality between men and women an integral part of our policies, both at the level of our States and within the Organization.

Our action

Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.

The OSCE is taking a strong stance on gender equality. Not only is gender mainstreamed into all our programmes, projects and activities, but we also run a whole gamut of activities to promote the meaningful participation of women in public and political life. This includes supporting the role of women in peace efforts and security institutions; initiatives to promote non-discriminatory laws and policies and increase women’s participation in politics and electoral processes; and addressing imbalances by promoting gender-responsive socio-economic and environmental policies. We also work with our participating States on action to combat violence against women and support victims and survivors of such crimes.

Mandate

Our teams

Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.

Our institutions and offices

All OSCE offices and institutions have incorporated the commitments on gender equality into their work programmes and their own structures. While the team working under the Secretariat’s Programme for Gender Issues has an umbrella function over this entire work area and develops the operational tools, guidelines and training materials to support staff members and stakeholders in integrating a gender perspective into their activities. 

Other OSCE bodies have mandates to tackle more specific gender-related tasks. This includes the fight against gender-based violence, which is an important work area for the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and the gender element in relation to economic empowerment and environmental security, a focus of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has also appointed a Special Representative on Gender.

Our operations on the ground

Most field operations also work with their host countries on initiatives that aim at fostering men's and women's equal rights and opportunities and preventing discrimination in public and political life.

Presence in Albania

Established on 27 March 1997 with the mandate to promote democratization, the rule of law and human rights, and to consolidate democratic institutions.

Centre in Ashgabat

Set up on 23 July 1998, the Centre works on a broad array of security issues, from arms control to economic-environmental topics and human rights.

Programme Office in Astana

Established on 23 July 1998, the Office's work ranges from arms control and border management to economic-environmental issues and human rights.

Programme Office in Bishkek

Established on 23 July 1998, the Office works in all OSCE dimensions, including the economic-environmental, human and political aspects of security.

Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Established on 8 December 1995, the Mission works on human rights, education, the rule of law, gender equality, governance and security co-operation.

Programme Office in Dushanbe

Established on 1 December 1993, the Office works on activities ranging from arms control to disaster risk reduction, good governance and gender equality.

Mission in Kosovo

Set up on 1 July 1999, the Mission has its headquarters in Prishtinë/Priština and maintains five regional offices. It runs a wide array of activities.

Mission to Montenegro

Established on 29 June 2006, the Mission assists Montenegro with its reform agenda and helps it further strengthen its democratic development.

Mission to Serbia

The Mission, set up on 11 January 2001, is based in Belgrade and assists Serbia in building accountable democratic institutions.

Mission to Skopje

Established on 18 September 1992, the Mission’s key priorities are constructive inter-ethnic relations and the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement.

Projects

Initiatives funded by individual states and organizations

Projects

Events

Upcoming conferences, meetings and training events

Workshop

Social Video Contest “Break the Chain of Domestic Violence!”

The contest invites participants to help raise public awareness about the unacceptability of tolerating domestic violence, the ways to overcome this issue, and the available help and resources for survivors. Original social video clips…
DateDateLocationLocation

Ukraine
Conference

Roma and Sinti Women in the Public Sphere: Advancing Collective and Transnational Action for Meaningful Participation

This conference brings together Roma and Sinti women from across the region to strengthen their voices and actions. Over a day and a half, participants will share experiences, set common goals, and build connections that help shape…
DateDateLocationLocation

Warsaw, Poland
Workshop

Promoting equality, strengthening democracy: Turning the Bundestag into a gender-sensitive parliament

Parliaments are pivotal to advancing equality in public life. This parliamentary breakfast brings together Bundestag leadership, international experts and ODIHR to explore practical ways to strengthen gender-balanced representation, gender…
DateDateLocationLocation

Bundestag, Berlin
Conference

Belief in Change: Engaging Religious Actors to End Violence against Women and Girls in the OSCE region

This two-day conference brings together key partners to explore how religious leaders and communities can help prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Recognizing that this challenge affects everyone, the event will…
DateDateLocationLocation

Warsaw, Poland
All events

Resources

Official OSCE documents, publications, guidelines and other resource material

This content is available in: English OIO independent evaluations

Promoting gender equality in the OSCE and its participating States: Independent Evaluation of the implementation of the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality (2018-2022)

DateDateLocationLocation

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
All resources

Studies and reports

Reports, studies and analyses for policymakers, researchers and all those interested in this field of our work

All studies and reports

Manuals and guides

Practice-oriented manuals, guides, handbooks and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners working in this field

All manuals and guides

OSCE stories

Read up on the OSCE, our people on the ground and our work

All stories All news