OSCE Mission to Skopje supports camp for high school boys on gender equality

For a third consecutive year, the OSCE Mission to Skopje supported a week-long camp from 18 to 24 June 2014 as part of the Young Men Leadership Project, organized by YMCA Bitola and US Peace Corps in Krusevo. One of the themes of this year’s camp was gender equality.

Fifty-two secondary school boys from different ethnicities and cities learned about breaking down gender stereotypes, gender discrimination and effective leadership through interactive presentations and games. The activities were led by members of the Mission’s Gender Working Group.

“It is very important to work with young boys on gender issues since they are the next generation of young men in the country,” said  Vesna Ivanovik, the  Mission’s Gender Focal Point. “Men should have a bigger role in promoting and achieving gender equality. Men should be allies and part of the solution to solving various gender-based issues. By raising their awareness on misconceptions, stereotypes and prejudices concerning gender, we are empowering men to challenge gender norms.”

The activities at the camp highlighted the need to respect individuals and their human rights, greater tolerance for gender diversity, building a society free of conflict, intolerance and hate speech.