OSCE MenEngage Network launched in Vienna

The first meeting of the OSCE MenEngage Network took place in Vienna on 28 January 2013. The Network was set up by the OSCE Gender Section to bring together men in senior positions in the OSCE who will engage in promoting gender equality.

Miroslava Beham, OSCE Senior Advisor on Gender Issues underlined that engaging men in promoting gender equality is important, yet often forgotten: “Men can be effective advocates for rights of women, and this can also serve as role models.”

Dean Peacock, a member of the UN Network and co-founder and co-chair of the  European NGO-network of MenEngage Alliance, a guest speaker at the event said: “Across the world, more and more men are taking courageous stands to challenge men’s violence against women. The OSCE MenEngage Network brings together men who are committed to using their positions of influence to prevent gender based violence, to ensure justice for victims and to promote gender equality.”

Peacock shared with the meeting participants his experience in setting up similar networks and dividing roles between its members.

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss best practices for engaging men and raising public awareness of the concept of gender being not just about women.