Gender equality within the OSCE

(OSCE)

The OSCE has a long-standing commitment to the principle of gender equality in its internal structures. The Programme for Gender Issues provides guidance and expertise to ensure that gender mainstreaming is applied in all OSCE programmes, projects and activities.

Gender parity, the equal representation of women and men at all levels of the organization, is an explicit goal of the Organization. The Programme for Gender Issues works with the Department of Human Resources to develop and implement measures according to the OSCE Gender Parity Strategy to attain equal representation by 2026.

Special emphasis is placed on an inclusive, enabling bias-free work culture, a prerequisite for sustainable progress on gender equality and gender parity. The Programme for Gender Issues assists with studies to monitor progress in the advancement of gender equality in the workplace and to remedy impediments that have been identified.

The OSCE is committed to providing a working environment free of harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The OSCE Secretary General has instituted a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment requiring that managers, human resources officials and investigators shall address all allegations of unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature promptly and with the utmost seriousness.

The Programme for Gender Issues administers the annual Gender Champion Awards established by the Secretary General in 2018, which recognize outstanding achievements by OSCE staff in the area of gender equality.

OSCE Secretariat > Gender equality within the OSCE

Highlights

Women at the OSCE

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues Lara Scarpitta and Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council Ambassador Igor Djundev with the winners of Gender Champions Award, Vienna, 13 July 2023. (OSCE)

OSCE staff recognized for their dedication to advancing gender equality

The ODIHR received an award in the project category for the “Capitalizing on the Human Dimension Mandate to Advance Gender Equality” (CHANGE) project.

We must embrace the digital age to close the gender gap and empower women in the face of adversity

For International Women’s Day, Helga Maria Schmid expresses solidarity with women facing adversity in recent months and reflects on the OSCE’s work around this year’s theme on the digital age and its impact on the lives of women and girls.