OSCE-supported training course promotes a harassment-free workplace culture for border and law enforcement agencies in Moldova

In a robust response to the OSCE-wide commitment towards gender equality and a harassment-free workplace, Moldovan border and law enforcement agencies participated in a two-day training course on 1-2 November 2023, in Chisinau. The initiative brought together 30 border and law enforcement officers and provided a platform for delving into in-depth discussions and practical exercises aimed at preventing and eradicating sexual harassment within their agencies.

The course was organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department/Border Security and Management Unit with the support of the OSCE Gender Issues Programme’s WIN project.

With the expert guidance of Professor Purna Sen, a world-renowned international expert on gender equality and equal rights, and Mariana Carabanov, Co-founder of the Association of Women in Police in Moldova, participants learned about the tools and approaches to the identification, impact and perception of sexual harassment, as well as about the Moldovan contextual framework, international experiences and patterns of change. Participants also shared current practices, assessed potential improvements, and highlighted good practices from across the OSCE region. The curriculum also featured a detailed exploration of ILO Convention 190, underlining the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment.

Interactive discussions and practical exercises including action planning for a harassment-free workplace equipped participants with actionable insights to drive meaningful change within their agencies towards a culture that upholds zero tolerance for sexual harassment and holds perpetrators accountable.

This initiative is part of the Gender Issues Programme’s multi-year WIN project, which aims to accelerate the implementation of the OSCE’s gender equality commitments and increase the participation of women in the security sector.