OSCE Mission calls for greater participation of women, youth and people with disabilities in decision-making in Kosovo

PRISHTINЁ/PRIŠTINA, 15 September 2014 – On the occasion of the International Democracy Day, 15 September, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, called on institutions to ensure greater participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the policy and decision-making process and has encouraged civil society organizations to advocate for the needs of those groups.

Ambassador Schlumberger addressed Mission’s conference organized for more than 40 representatives of non-governmental organizations, central and local level institutions in Prishtinë/Priština who discussed best participatory practices and policies, as well as their promotion and implementation Kosovo-wide.  

“It is of a paramount importance for women, youth, and people with disabilities to be part of social dialogue and to take part in the development of legislation, adoption of budgets, and in deciding on how to allocate public resources,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger.

“Without their participation in these key decision and policy-making processes we cannot say that all people are being awarded equal chances,” he added and pledged Mission’s further support to democratization processes in Kosovo.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human rights protection and promotion, democratization and public safety sector development.