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OSCE Mission in Kosovo supports municipal gender equality officers
PRISTINA 14 November 2006
PRISTINA, 14 November 2006 - Lack of consideration and proper means are the main findings of a report on the situation of Municipal Officers for Gender Equality made public today by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
The Officers, one in each of the 33 Kosovo municipalities, are civil servants who work towards achieving gender equality and mainstreaming gender issues into municipal policies, legislation and practices.
"Promoting the role of women is not only a key requirement for gender equality, but women empowerment is also seen as one of the central means to prevent future conflict," said Ambassador Werner Wnendt, Head of the OSCE Mission. "The OSCE supports women's rights throughout its region. In Kosovo, we are committed to promote gender equality and women's rights at the local level."
The report based on an assessment conducted by the Mission's Municipal Teams, describes that the Municipal Officers for Gender Equality do not get full support from their municipalities to achieve their mission. Their working conditions are bad, they are under-represented in decision-making positions and do not have their own budget.
Vjollca Krasniqi, Officer in Ferizaj/Urosevac, stressed that women needed to gain more trust and self-confidence: "In my ,municipality, there are no female directors. The point is that women do not apply for these kinds of positions. They should have a more pro-active approach."
To remedy these shortcomings, the report recommends strengthening the Municipal Officers' position in their municipalities. In addition, they should work more pro-actively to bring about a culture of equal opportunities and more involvement of women in recruitment processes. In addition, the report recommends to run awareness campaigns to reach out to a larger public.
The report also contains recommendations addressed to the central authorities, as a way to ensure the necessary guidance and support to the local level structures are provided. The OSCE Mission encouraged regular meetings between the Municipal Officers for Gender Equality and the Office for Gender Equality, as well as the holding of specialized in-house training programmes.
"These recommendations have to be implemented. This is our common responsibility and we will carefully follow up on what has been achieved. The OSCE Mission will continue to support not only gender-related issues but the role of women in Kosovo now and after the status decision" Ambassador Wnendt said.
The Officers, one in each of the 33 Kosovo municipalities, are civil servants who work towards achieving gender equality and mainstreaming gender issues into municipal policies, legislation and practices.
"Promoting the role of women is not only a key requirement for gender equality, but women empowerment is also seen as one of the central means to prevent future conflict," said Ambassador Werner Wnendt, Head of the OSCE Mission. "The OSCE supports women's rights throughout its region. In Kosovo, we are committed to promote gender equality and women's rights at the local level."
The report based on an assessment conducted by the Mission's Municipal Teams, describes that the Municipal Officers for Gender Equality do not get full support from their municipalities to achieve their mission. Their working conditions are bad, they are under-represented in decision-making positions and do not have their own budget.
Vjollca Krasniqi, Officer in Ferizaj/Urosevac, stressed that women needed to gain more trust and self-confidence: "In my ,municipality, there are no female directors. The point is that women do not apply for these kinds of positions. They should have a more pro-active approach."
To remedy these shortcomings, the report recommends strengthening the Municipal Officers' position in their municipalities. In addition, they should work more pro-actively to bring about a culture of equal opportunities and more involvement of women in recruitment processes. In addition, the report recommends to run awareness campaigns to reach out to a larger public.
The report also contains recommendations addressed to the central authorities, as a way to ensure the necessary guidance and support to the local level structures are provided. The OSCE Mission encouraged regular meetings between the Municipal Officers for Gender Equality and the Office for Gender Equality, as well as the holding of specialized in-house training programmes.
"These recommendations have to be implemented. This is our common responsibility and we will carefully follow up on what has been achieved. The OSCE Mission will continue to support not only gender-related issues but the role of women in Kosovo now and after the status decision" Ambassador Wnendt said.