OSCE Centre in Astana co-organizes training on gender mainstreaming and security
BOROVOYE, KAZAKHSTAN, 12 July 2013 – Some 50 officials from Kazakhstan’s central government agencies and local executive authorities responsible for gender equality issues are taking part in an international two-day training seminar on gender mainstreaming, women and security that began today in Borovoye, northern Kazakhstan.
The event, which was organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and the National Commission for Women’s Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy, with support of the Akmola Region Administration, focused on how the principle of gender equality is implemented in Kazakhstan and what practices give rise to discrimination against women.
Experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Lithuania will share their national experiences with the participants on how to apply gender mainstreaming in budgeting and statistics, which are among the foundations for integrating gender equality into socio-economic policy and national development programmes.
Participants will also discuss the national prospects for implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, which stresses the need to use women’s mediation potential in resolving conflicts and incorporating a gender perspective into peace and security related activities, policies and programmes. They will debate how negative stereotypes of women in security and law enforcement agencies could be overcome; regulations in the police and military forces; and the reform of national legislation to foster gender equality in those areas.
“Gender equality is rooted in the effort to secure equal rights between men and women when it comes to the allocation of resources, setting up of rules, and taking of decisions for all members of society. Consequently, gender equality cannot be seen as an isolated issue; it is an ongoing process, an effort that needs to be constantly renewed,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Centre, in her welcoming speech.
Gulshara Abdykalikova, Head of the National Commission for Women’s Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy, said in her opening statement: “One of the priorities of the National Commission’s work is to provide gender equality in socio-political life. We are committed to encouraging women’s promotion in legislative and executive bodies.
This event is part of the Centre’s efforts to further develop a network of gender focal points in Kazakhstan’s government agencies.