Strengthening the role of women in the socio-economic and political life in Uzbekistan

On 17 and 18 February 2021, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan conducted a roundtable discussion aimed at the advancement of women's participation in politics and business, investing in women's professional development and leadership skills. The event, held in a blended format, was organized jointly with the National Commission on Gender Equality and the Committee on Women and Gender Equality of the Senate.

The event brought together more than fifty participants from Tashkent, the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the Khorezm region, including members of the National Commission on Gender Equality, officials from the ministries and state agencies, members of political parties, NGOs and the media. Particular emphasis was given to the advancement of the role of women in political participation and comprehensive support to businesswomen, especially the development of family entrepreneurship.

In her opening speech, Mariyam Akhmedova, First Deputy Minister of Mahalla and Family Affairs of Karakalpakstan, stressed that: “the achievement of social equality is a complex and lengthy process due to the level of social development in the country and its economic potential”. She also noted that by the Government of Uzbekistan recognizes, and is giving close attention to providing opportunities for integrating women into various spheres of life,  and developing and implementing a long-term state policy aimed to increase the social status of women.

In his opening speech,  John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, stressed that there are a number of OSCE commitments related to this sphere. He said: “The OSCE recognizes that equal rights of women and men are essential to foster peace, security, and sustainable development. In particular, they relate to improving the economic activity of women, creating jobs for women, strengthening women’s managerial roles, increasing the role of women in government”.

The roundtable is part of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Support to Women’s Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan” with the financial support from the Governments of Finland and Norway and a longstanding commitment of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan to assist the country in promoting women`s promotion in social, political and economic life.