Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 16 June (BelTA) – Belarus shows a good example in the context of the OSCE regarding the number of women in Parliament, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Michael Georg Link said at the international conference on gender equality in public life held at the Belarusian State University (BSU) on 16 June, BelTA has learned.

“In the context of the OSCE Belarus shows a good example regarding the number of women in Parliament,” Michael Georg Link said. In particular, he noted that in recent years the number of women in the Council of the Republic has increased. Apart from that he said that Belarus had demonstrated its commitment to the international standards of gender equality.

Michael Georg Link also said not so long ago women in certain European countries did not have the right to vote.

He remarked that it is not right to focus solely on the rights of women or children. The focus should be on human rights in general. Apart from that, Michael Georg Link stressed that it is necessary to ensure gender equality both de jure and de facto.

The ODIDR Director believes that the holding of the conference on gender equality in Minsk is an important fact. “It is a signal in our relations and in the relations (of Belarus – BelTA’s note) with the Council of Europe,” Michael Georg Link said. He thanked partners and organizers of the conference.

The international conference “Ensuring gender equality in public life” is held at the Belarusian State University on 15-16 June. It is organized by BSU and the Council of Europe Information Point in Minsk with the assistance of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.