18  : :  DEMOCRATIZATION To ensure and advance the participation of persons with disabilities in political life the Office engaged in a number of activities that involved hundreds officials and activists in the field. Youth continued to be of focus, including through the Young Policy Advisors Course and the development of the Youth Progress Index. ODIHR also facilitated the exchange of knowledge and good practices in migrant integration, safeguarding human rights in the course of detention and forced returns, and combating hate crimes against migrants. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND GENDER Promoting Women in Politics and Gender Equality in Democratic Institutions ODIHR helps advance women’s representation, role and influence in politics by working with parliaments, political parties, women leaders and gender equality activists. In 2018, the Office organized or co-organized 18 events, expert visits and training events on gender equality and women’s political participation, raising the awareness and knowledge of over 5,500 women and 700 men across the OSCE region. As gatekeepers of democracy, political parties play a key role in advancing women in politics. Political parties in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova are now better equipped to advance gender equality and women’s participation in their structures and elected office, after ODIHR assisted 12 major political parties in these countries in conducting