ALMATY, 8 February 2008 - The methodologies used to monitor women's rights were the focus of a workshop, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Centre in Astana, that ended in Almaty today.

The five-day event brought together representatives of state institutions and NGOs from Kazakhstani regions. They learned how to investigate, document and report on the implementation of the government's international commitments on women's rights.

The training course also focused on economic rights, access to education and healthcare systems, participation in political and public life, combating violence against women and human trafficking, and the role of women in conflict prevention. These issues were part of the recommendations for Kazakhstan made in 2007 by the United Nations Committee which monitors the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

"International instruments, including different OSCE documents and commitments, stress that gender equality can be reached only when international and national law is fully put into practice," said Eugenia Benigni, Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre in Astana. "Monitoring is a key tool to analyse the progress made and identify areas where further work and assistance are needed."

A second workshop will take place in Astana from 24 to 29 February.

A total of 45 participants from non-governmental organizations and state bodies will be trained in both programmes. The workshops are part of the project "Strengthening Human Rights in Central Asia", co-organized with Equitas - International Centre for Human Rights Education, the CIS Regional Office of the UN Development Fund for Women, and co-funded by the European Commission and the Canadian International Development Agency in 2007-2009.

Published in: "Press Release: OSCE Promotes Monitoring of Women's Rights in Kazakhstan," Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe, www.osce.org, 8 February 2008.