OSCE Centre supports gender equality discussions among local government representatives in southern Kyrgyzstan

BATKEN, Kyrgyzstan, 28 May 2009 - An OSCE-supported seminar that started in a remote part of southern Kyrgyzstan today will help local officials promote gender equality and learn about gender analysis.

The two-day orientation seminar in the Leilek district of the Batken Province, supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek's Field Office in Osh, gathered about 40 participants, including heads of local councils of remote villages.

"The seminar, organized at the initiative of local authorities, aims to equip participants with necessary tools and skills to promote gender equality, analysis and budgeting in their work," said Dimitri Manjavidze, the Human Dimension Officer in the OSCE Centre's Field Office in Osh.

The seminar, organized by the non-governmental organization Ensan-Diamond, forms part of the OSCE Centre's support for the Kyrgyzstan Government's efforts to address gender aspects of local governance. A similar seminar will be held in Jalal-Abad Province.