Newsroom
OSCE Almaty Centre trains journalists in Kazakhstan on gender issues
ALMATY 26 April 2004
ALMATY, 26 April 2004 - In order to increase gender sensitivity and awareness of the rights of women among media professionals, the OSCE Centre in Almaty is holding a two-day seminar for local journalists on gender issues, beginning today.
"Overcoming gender stereotypes in media is an important step in increasing the role of women in public life," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of Centre.
Women's representation in the public arena has declined in Kazakhstan since the country gained independence. Currently, only about 11 percent of parliamentary deputies are women. Raising awareness of how the media portray women can affect how women choose to take part in public life. Working with journalists to promote equal rights is also a priority, as defined in the Concept of Gender Policy of Kazakhstan, adopted in November 2003.
Participants at the Almaty seminar have been selected on the basis of a nation-wide competition, indicating the considerable interest of local journalists in gender issues. The seminar is part of a project on gender issues. The next phase will involve a competition among journalists for the best media articles on women's participation in the decision-making process.
The seminar was organized together with two national non-governmental organizations, the "Feminist League" and the Taraz Initiative Centre.
"Overcoming gender stereotypes in media is an important step in increasing the role of women in public life," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of Centre.
Women's representation in the public arena has declined in Kazakhstan since the country gained independence. Currently, only about 11 percent of parliamentary deputies are women. Raising awareness of how the media portray women can affect how women choose to take part in public life. Working with journalists to promote equal rights is also a priority, as defined in the Concept of Gender Policy of Kazakhstan, adopted in November 2003.
Participants at the Almaty seminar have been selected on the basis of a nation-wide competition, indicating the considerable interest of local journalists in gender issues. The seminar is part of a project on gender issues. The next phase will involve a competition among journalists for the best media articles on women's participation in the decision-making process.
The seminar was organized together with two national non-governmental organizations, the "Feminist League" and the Taraz Initiative Centre.