OSCE supports international dialogue on the role of parliament in achieving gender equality

BISHKEK, 15 May 2015 – In co-operation with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Parliament hosts a two-day international conference on the role of Parliaments in achieving gender equality. The event is organized in the context of the Beijing +20 process marking the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the advancement of women and girls. The high-level meeting is held on 15-16 May.

International and national parliamentarians, including members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, representatives of the Kyrgyz government, the international community, civil society and media from a large number of the OSCE participating States and beyond will review and discuss new challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality in all areas of public life. Prominent political figures including Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament, Asylbek Jeenbekov, and the former Kyrgyz President, Roza Otunbayeva, will provide opening remarks. Daniyar Narymbaev, first deputy head of the Presidential office will deliver a speech on behalf of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almazbek Atambaev.

“Parliaments play a key role in promoting and strengthening gender equality in our societies,” says Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. He added that the OSCE counts on the Kyrgyz Parliament achieving at least 30 per cent of women MPs in the next legislature, setting an example for many other OSCE participating States in the region.

Three OSCE-supported international experts will share OSCE experience on women’s leadership in parliament, on implementing United Nations Resolution 1325 on women’s participation in conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction, as well as enhancing the opportunities of women in political participation.

The conference is supported by the British Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, UN (UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women), NDI, USAID and others.