ANNUAL REPORT 2003 Democratization Gender Equality
Political and economic participation: The goal of giv- components and phases and follow a cyclical development ing women a greater role in the decision-making process is pattern, i.e., consecutive activities are built on previous of particular importance. Due to a number of factors, achievements and results, which generates new initiatives. women’s representation in the economic and political arena has steeply declined in many countries over the past decade. Programmes and priorities are selected based on an analysis This situation excludes the concerns of women from the po- of the situation in each country and an evaluation of the po- litical agenda and transition process. tential impact of the ODIHR. The Gender Unit aims to maximize the involvement of civil society and government repre-
Violence against women: Violence is increasingly a sentatives from the host country. It also seeks to create and cause of concern. The limits that violence places on train local project teams, giving them ownership of the gen- women's expression of free will and participation in all as- der programme, and to establish self-sustainable programmes pects of social life ultimately undermine democracy, because that can be managed locally, thereby encouraging a multipli- they exclude women from the democratic process. Thus, cation factor. In this way, the ODIHR helps to build local ca- creating conditions in which women feel secure is funda- pacity and ensures the long-term effect of the initiative. mental to their ability to participate in social, economic, and Programmes have been implemented in Armenia, Azerbai- political life. jan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, many of which are in large part conducted in the regions outside of Programmes the capital cities in an attempt to reach those women who are often excluded from women’s-rights initiatives. The While the ODIHR addresses and promotes gender issues ODIHR has selected these areas for its activities because there through various means, the majority of the work of the Gen- is great potential to have an impact in these regions and be- der Unit is conducted in the form of targeted programmes cause there is already a prominent OSCE presence there. carried out in several countries that ensure a personalized, tailor-made approach to each country. Though most of the 1. Promoting women's equal rights and opportunities programmes have objectives identified on a year-to-year basis, all programme activities have been guided by the long-term overall goal of improving the situation of women and increasing the participation of women at all levels of de- Women face difficulties in economic and political life cision-making. throughout the OSCE area. The inequality and discrimination they face is, among other factors, influenced by the preva- The activities conducted by the Gender Unit in 2003 could lence of traditional attitudes and limited, stereotyped expec- be divided into the following areas: tations. In many emerging democracies, young women and women from outside large cities are particularly affected by
Promoting women's equal rights and opportunities; such practices; this prevents them from finding economic
Women's leadership development; and and professional opportunities, as they remain generally un-
Preventing and combating domestic violence. aware of their rights under international and domestic law. Therefore, it is necessary that women become aware of their By the nature of its work, the Unit is committed to long-term rights and be given the opportunity to participate equally in goals. Therefore, programmes run by the Gender Unit are the labour market, politics, and the development of their so- never a one-off event but are created for a five-year period ciety. With regard to countries undergoing political and eco- to safeguard continuity and to allow for long-term impact nomic transition, it is also pressing that women be able to and programme assessment. All programmes have several protect and promote their rights and interests, as many gov- 29