Women’s Leadership Academy 

ODIHR is supporting the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek in organizing an online Women’s Leadership Academy for over 120 women politicians, public servants and activists in Kyrgyzstan.  

The participants will follow an interactive course composed of online thematic and skills-based lectures, workshops, consultations and mentoring. The Academy will also feature a series of master classes with prominent women politicians. The master classes will aim to develop women leadership and critical-thinking skills and enable the participants to gain experience in developing policies and taking decisions in state and government systems. The capacity-building events are accompanied by a nation-wide awareness-raising campaign to promote the Alliance of Women Legislative Initiative platform and its services.  

ODIHR will provide international expertise to the Academy. Ms. Lolita Čigāne, an expert from Latvia, will provide training sessions and master classes, based on her extensive practical experience as a member of Latvia's parliament, media practitioner and civic activist.   

Objectives 

During the Academy, the participants will: 

• Strengthen their understanding of the national and international legislative framework on women’s rights and women’s political participation; 

• Develop their gender mainstreaming skills, including in gender analysis, gender-sensitive planning and budgeting; 

• Increase their understanding on the role of political parties in electoral processes; 

• Further develop their skills around women’s leadership and critical thinking. 

The women participating in the course will include 75 representatives of local councils, 20 members of political parties, 15 local activists, 5 representatives of state and municipal authorities, and 5 candidates at the parliamentary election to be held in November 2021. 

Why it is important 

Throughout 2019 and 2020, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek stepped up activities related to gender equality across the country, and particularly the promotion of women’s political participation at the local level. Despite the special measures (30% gender quota for parliament and local council seats), women are largely excluded from decision-making, especially in rural areas.  

The participants’ positive feedback from activities in 2019 and 2020 indicated the need to continue assistance in this area in 2021.