ODIHR calls on political parties in Hungary to promote women as candidates in upcoming local elections

Good practices and strategies for supporting women candidates running for local office in Hungary were the focus of a seminar in Budapest on 3 October 2014.

During the seminar, which was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the Hungarian Women’s Lobby, members of parliament and policymakers, as well as representatives of political parties, academia, civil society and the media, discussed challenges women face as candidates for elected office and strategies for improving their access to Hungarian political structures at all levels.

“We must continue raising the awareness of political parties in Hungary on the importance and benefits of women’s participation in decision-making,” said Ajla van Heel, ODIHR Gender Adviser. “We encourage political party leaders to promote women as candidates for the upcoming local elections, as this improves parties’ public images, reputations, platforms, voter outreach and campaign strategies.”

According to “Women’s participation in the Hungarian Parliament”, a study commissioned by ODIHR and published in December 2013, Hungary is one of the lowest ranked OSCE participating State in terms of women members of parliament, with a figure of around 10 percent.

“Women’s participation in political life is an indicator of democracy,” said Borbála Juhász, Chair of the Hungarian Women’s Lobby. “Systematic initiatives and legislative measures need to be introduced to facilitate women’s access to elected office in Hungary.”

This seminar was organized as part of ODIHR’s programme to advance women’s political participation in the OSCE region, as mandated in the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for Promoting Gender Equality.