OSCEs parlamentariske Forsamling 2008-09
OSCE Alm.del Bilag 40
Offentligt
The Special Representative on Gender Issues
Minister Dora BakoyannisChairperson-in-Office of the OSCEAmbassador Marc Perrin De BrichambautSecretary General of the OSCEAmbassador Janez LenarcicDirector of the OSCE ODIHRStockholm, 7 May 2009
Dear Minister,Dear Ambassadors,As you know, I have continually been pointing to the lack of gender equality in thehierarchy of the OSCE, calling for more women to be nominated and appointed tothe higher staff levels in the OSCE Secretariat, the Institutions and within FieldOperations.It has come to my attention that two of the most senior positions at the OSCEODIHR are about to be filled, and that the leading candidates again are two men.We hope this is not the case. The OSCE ODIHR is by far the largest OSCEInstitution in terms of numbers of staff and also here, the leadership has been andis still far from balanced. In the OSCE PA 2008 Gender Report, we concluded thatin the ODIHR, only one leadership position (positions P5 and above) out of six isheld by a woman.Bearing in mind this context, I would like to remind you of your particularresponsibility to work to rectify this imbalance. The Gender Action Plan from2004 which was adopted by the Ministerial Council stresses the need for positiveaction to promote and appoint women candidates. Hiring two men for these high-level positions in the OSCE ODIHR in my view constitutes yet another failedopportunity to make positive changes in our Organization. As I am sure you willagree, words alone do not make a difference, it takes political will. I sincerelyhope that efforts will be made to increase the number of women in seniorpositions so that the OSCE becomes a workplace where gender balance is apriority. The OSCE is a value based Organization, and we implement theprinciples that we stand for and promote. As I have pointed out several times, ifyou cannot find qualified women for such positions, my colleagues in theAssembly and I would be happy to assist you with this._________________Raadhusstraede 1, 1466 Copenhagen K., DenmarkPhone: +45 33 37 80 40 - Fax: +45 33 37 80 30 - [email protected] - www.oscepa.org
The Special Representative on Gender Issues
In this regard, I would like to ask you to clarify the staffing procedures for highlevel positions. In addition, I would appreciate it if you would inform me aboutthe number of women and men who applied for these two positions, as well as thenumber of women and men shortlisted and interviewed.I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Tone Tingsgård,OSCE PA Vice-Presidentand Special Representative on Gender Issues
CC:
Ambassador Mari Marinaki, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent CouncilMembers of the OSCE PA Standing Committee
_________________Raadhusstraede 1, 1466 Copenhagen K., DenmarkPhone: +45 33 37 80 40 - Fax: +45 33 37 80 30 - [email protected] - www.oscepa.org
