Democratization: Gender Equality The ODIHR’s gender programme promotes women’s participation in OSCE public life. by experts and academics from established democracies. However, external advice does not always result in sustainable local efforts to achieve gender equality. Therefore, experts with first-hand local knowledge are indispensable in developing tailor-made responses and in establishing local ownership of reform efforts. Building the capacity of national experts as advisors to gender policy makers on the national and regional level is therefore an overall priority. Activities The ODIHR has been implementing a multiyear programme aimed at increasing the participation of women in democratic processes. Activities focus on fostering women’s leadership and political participation at the local and national levels. Examples include trainingof-trainers workshops on gender equality and women’s rights, capacity-building seminars for women’s NGOs and networks, providing assistance in developing expertise within state insti- tutions for the promotion of gender equality, and providing training for state structures and NGOs in preventing and combating violence against women. While the programme is mainly focused on the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, assistance is also provided to civil society and state bodies in Eastern and SouthEastern Europe. In 2006, the ODIHR conducted activities in the following areas: k Strengthening women’s organizations and networks; k Increasing women’s political participation and access to decision-making; k Combating domestic violence; and k Developing effective national institutions to mainstream gender equality into policy-making. I. Strengthening women’s organizations and networks Reform initiatives that aim to increase the representation of women in governance structures and to promote equality of rights and opportu- Annual Report  37