OSCE MISSION IN KOSOVO MARKS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

March 8, 2004 – (OSCE – Pristina) The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and local non-governmental organizations held a series of events today to mark International Women's Day. They included roundtables on gender issues with prominent women representatives attending from the Office of the Prime Minister, Municipal Gender Focal Points and NGOs, selecting the most successful women in the region and exhibitions with gender topics.

“Ensuring gender equity strengthens democracy,” said the Mission Head, Ambassador Pascal Fieschi. “And education is the best answer, as well as equal opportunities.”

Women empowerment has been one of the OSCE’s Mission in Kosovo top priorities from the very beginning. Women are now playing a more important role in society and the OSCE is proud to see increased involvement of women in all spheres.

Kosovo has numerous women’s NGOs but much remains to be done at the grassroots level. It will be these organizations that will genuinely represent women’s issues.

The Kosovo Assembly recently passed legislation on Anti-Discrimination and Gender Equity which is expected to further enhance the position of women.

From: http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/s/2D0046B95646718785256E51005A9BAE