150 women from all over Moldova will benefit from training seminars on running for public office ahead of upcoming local elections, OSCE said in a press release. The seminars will be offered by OSCE Mission to Moldova, in co-operation with the International Center for the Advancement of Women in Business NGO (ICAWB). The project aims to increase women’s leadership in political life and to raise awareness among political parties on what can be done better to promote women’s political participation at the local level. “Economic growth is directly linked to gender equality,” said Eugenia Benigni, Anti-Trafficking and Gender Adviser at the OSCE Mission to Moldova. “It is in the interest of every country to include more women in politics”. The seminars will focus on topics such as how to run a campaign, how to identify the needs and interests of the electorate and communicate with potential voters more effectively. The participants will share experiences with former Members of Parliament and experts from non-governmental organizations on how to prepare for public debates with other candidates. The OSCE Mission to Moldova encourages interested women to submit their applications by 17 March 2011.