ODIHR supports political leadership training for women politicians from Central Asia

Sharing good practices in promoting gender equality and women’s advancement in political parties was the focus of a three-day regional workshop organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) that ended on 24 November 2013 in Bishkek.

During the workshop, 35 women politicians, gender experts and representatives of civil society from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan discussed measures to enhance gender equality within political parties and to build their own political leadership skills.

“By becoming more knowledgeable about how key party processes work, including candidate selection, resource allocation and party promotion, both party leaders and aspiring women politicians can better identify obstacles to women’s political advancement and develop concrete strategies to address them,” said Kristin van der Leest, ODIHR’s Gender Adviser.

After the workshop, the Office organized a roundtable discussion in the parliament of Kyrgyzstan on strengthening cross-party co-operation on gender equality issues. During the event, ODIHR presented the Comparative Study of Structures for Women MPs in the OSCE Region, which provides an overview of existing bodies promoting gender equality in national parliaments.

“Cross-party co-operation is critical to enhancing women’s political influence in parliament,” noted Ainuru Altybaeva, Chair of Kyrgyzstan’s parliament’s Forum of Women Deputies. “Our women’s caucus has helped lobby for the adoption of gender equality legislation, supported aspiring women candidates in running for public office, and raised public awareness of the discrimination women still face in political and public life.”   

The workshop was organized in co-operation with the OSCE Centres in Astana and Bishkek and the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Both events are part of ODIHR’s work to enhance women’s political participation and strengthen parliamentary institutions.