Gender Adviser at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

 

Ms. Ajla van Heel Merdanović is currently Gender Adviser at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Her expertise is focused on advancing women’s political participation. Prior to joining the OSCE, she worked for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on prevention of trafficking in women and girls in the Western Balkans.

Ms. van Heel holds a BA in international affairs from Princeton University and a MA in human rights from University of Bologna. 

Her efforts to promote peace and advance women’s rights were recognized through awards received from the British Royal Family, Rotary International, and Zonta International.