OSCE Centre in Astana organizes Norway study tour on gender policy

The OSCE Centre in Astana jointly with the Embassy of Norway organized a study trip to Oslo for parliamentarians and the head and members of the National Commission on Women’s Affairs and Family Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan from 30 January to 1 February 2013.

The delegation met with the Vice Presidents and members of the Norwegian parliament in Oslo, where they discussed the empowerment of women in politics and working life. They further discussed the law-makers’ role in addressing risks and challenges to security and co-operation throughout the OSCE area during their meeting with the Norwegian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

The Kazakhstan’s delegation also had meetings with officials from the Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsman and members of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprises. The topics of their discussions were related to promoting equal opportunities for women and men through a sound legislative and political framework.

The study trip participants focused, in particular, on good practices in ensuring women’s involvement in political and economic life at the decision-making level, gender-sensitive family and demographic developments, measures to prevent domestic violence and ensure professional maintenance and sustainable financing of crisis centres for violence and trafficking victims.

The group was accompanied by Jeannette Kloetzer, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana.