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OSCE Endorses Women's Efforts at Stability Pact Summit

Press Release No. 59/99 on July 29, 1999

 
ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE

For information - not an official document

No. 59/99
Press Release

OSCE Endorses Women's Efforts at Stability Pact Summit

SARAJEVO, July 29, 1999 - On behalf of OSCE Chairman in Office Minister Knut Vollebaek, OSCE Head of Mission Robert L. Barry, today endorsed an appeal by women parliamentarians and representatives of women's groups from across Southeastern Europe calling for a more active and prominent role for women in the Stability Pact process. The appeal, signed by more than 100 different women from 10 different countries, was issued earlier today during a press conference in Sarajevo.

The press conference participants -- women representing Bosnia and Herze-govina, Slovenia, Romania, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Hungary, Croatia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia -- called for women's active participation as full and equal partners in the development and implementation of the Stability Pact.

In endorsing the women's initiative, Ambassador Barry underlined the need for women to play a greater role in the political life of Southeastern Europe if the goals of the Stability Pact are to be achieved. "I applaud the efforts of the women parliamentarians and representatives of women's groups to expand the role played by women in the public life of their respective countries and across the region as a whole," he said. "Without effective and equal participation by women in the effort to bring peace, stability and prosperity to this region, these goals will be virtually impossible to achieve." Ambassador Barry added that women are severely under-represented in legislative bodies throughout the region, constituting, on average, only seven percent of elected representatives.

Ambassador Barry also welcomed the role of women at the summit as an important step in increasing awareness of the needs of women in Southeastern Europe and in addressing these needs in a concerted, region-wide approach. "Women's voices in Southeastern Europe have too often been left unheard, with tragic consequences. The Stability Pact provides a unique opportunity for these voices to be heard, voices which have always strongly endorsed the goals of the Stability Pact -- human rights, democracy, regional co-operation and economic development.We endorse the demand that women play a central role in the Stability Pact process."

For further information contact Tanya Domi, Spokesperson; Sanela, Deputy Spokesperson; Alexander Nitzsche, Deputy Spokesperson, Obala Kulina Bana 20, 71000 Sarajevo, tel.: (+387) 71-444-444; fax: (+387)71-292-289; e-mail: press@oscebih.org; website: http://www.oscebih.org

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