OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan supports strengthening the role of women in socio-economic and political life

From 20 to 21 April 2021, the OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) is conducting a roundtable discussion, in blended format, aimed at advancing women's participation in politics and business, and investing in women's professional development and leadership skills. The event was jointly organized with the National Commission on Gender Equality and the Committee of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Women and Gender Equality.

More than fifty participants from Tashkent and the Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions are taking part in the discussions. Participants include members of the National Commission on Gender Equality, officials from the ministries and state agencies, members of political parties, NGOs and the media. Discussions focus on advancing the role of women in political participation and providing comprehensive support to businesswomen, especially the development of family entrepreneurship.

In her opening speech, Malika Kadirkhanova, Head of the Committee of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Women and Gender Equality, stressed that: “The committee works on strengthening the role of women in socio-economic and political life”. She added that the Committee is planning to study and raise these issues in the Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions that will help “seek solutions with the heads of the relevant state bodies, and to carry out systematic work.”

John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, said: “There are a number of OSCE commitments related to this sphere. The OSCE recognizes that equal rights of women and men are essential to foster peace, security, and sustainable development. We are continuing to organize a series of roundtable discussions between women leaders, and women in business, law enforcement and in civil society on the challenges women face in the different regions of Uzbekistan”.

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