OSCE Office supports Tajikistan's efforts to improve Gender Equality Law

DUSHANBE, 29 July 2008 - How to integrate a gender perspective in Tajikistan's national policies as well improve Tajikistan's Gender Equality Law and ensure that it is implemented correctly was the focus of the roundtable discussion held in Dushanbe today.

"Tajikistan was the first Central Asian country to ratify the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, which obliges parties to eliminate discrimination in all areas of life, including healthcare, education, employment, decision-making and access to resources," said Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

"In 2005, Tajikistan adopted a Gender Equality Law, but its lack of implementation mechanisms means that the situation of women is not in line with its provisions. Therefore, it is vitally important to support the Government in its endeavors to fully comply with its obligations to guarantee that both men and women are granted equal rights and opportunities."

The event brought together members of parliament, representatives of government ministries and other governmental and non-governmental bodies. Participants discussed topics including the establishment of regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of women's advancement, as well as efforts to change gender stereotypes and behaviours.

The OSCE Office in Tajikistan organized the meeting together with the National Committee on Women and Family Affairs of the Government of Tajikistan.

"We plan to create a permanent working group to work on the Gender Equality Law before submitting a revised law draft to the Parliament. The group will also work with Members of Parliament on gender issues and co-operate with the Government to mainstream gender issues in all spheres of life," said Hairinisso Yusufi, Head of the Committee.

The meeting is part of an OSCE Office project started last year in co-operation with the Parliament. The project included an analysis of the implementation of the law since its adoption, as well as a gender summer school for parliamentarians. In a new phase of the project, the OSCE Office will support the working group focusing on the Gender Equality Law.