Human Dimension Seminar on promoting women's participation in society

The meeting's three themes were women in conflict situations (including violence against women), trafficking in women and girls, and the exclusion of women from decision-making positions and international institutions.

During the seminar's discussions, participating States were urged to increase efforts to promote gender equality at all levels such as staffing, activities and projects.

Recommendations included establishing a senior co-ordinator within the OSCE to ensure that gender issues are mainstreamed into OSCE operations and to improve the Organization's monitoring of violations against women.

The Senior Gender Advisor in the OSCE Secretariat was established some time afterwards and has the following tasks:

• providing advice and technical assistance to OSCE staff in the field of gender mainstreaming
• promoting the equal opportunity and the participation of women in conflict resolution 
• giving advice and guidance to the political bodies of the OSCE on these issues 
• setting standards for achievement 
• overseeing the implementation of the OSCE Gender Action Plan and evaluating its progress