OSCE human rights office trains Polish women leaders in political leadership

Promoting the role of women as political party decision-makers and candidates for public office ahead of 2014 local elections was the focus of a training session co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw from 12 to 13 August 2013.

More than 30 young women leaders from Poland took part in the event held in co-operation with the Polish School for Leaders Association.

“Greater awareness in society of the benefits of women’s political participation can encourage women to enter political life,” Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, the Secretary of State and Prime Minister’s Representative for Equal Treatment, said in her opening address. “We should seek to fully utilize women’s political potential and talents.”

During the discussion, Marcin Walecki, Chief of ODIHR’s Democratic Governance and Gender Unit, presented the baseline study Gender Equality in Elected Office: A Six-Step Action Plan that highlights different measures political parties can adopt to promote women as decision-makers and candidates.

“Political parties can introduce voluntary quotas or targets for women candidates, develop gender action plans, or establish initiatives to support the campaigns of women,” Walecki explained.

This event forms part of ODIHR’s activities to promote women’s political participation across the OSCE region, in line with the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality.