The Ministerial Council of the OSCE in Sofia adopted the 2004 action plan in 2004. It lays out a framework for action within OSCE institutions and by member states for promotion of gender equality. Gender mainstreaming in organisational practices and recruitment to OSCE, ratification of key international treaties on gender related issues by member states, preventing violence against women, promoting their participation in public and political life and increasing women's access to the economic sphere are some of the key elements of this action plan.