Boosting the role of Uzbek women in public life
Empowering women
The position of women in Uzbekistan has improved, but there is still a lack of educational programmes in leadership. To help rectify this, the OSCE Centre in Tashkent and the International Helsinki Federation (IHF) held women's leadership training seminars last November and February.
Participants discussed their visions of gender equality and analyzed particular violations of women's rights such as domestic violence - an issue that has yet to be addressed seriously by the government. They compared gender issues and successful projects in Kosovo, Rwanda and Sweden, and looked at the role of men in promoting gender equality.
An expert leadership trainer from Sweden, Niclas Ericsson, engaged participants in discussions about their personal experiences and led an interactive, role-playing session addressing gender stereotypes. There was also an emphasis on developing communication, conflict resolution and stress-management skills.
These were the first training sessions at which representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and state structures worked together on political and social issues.
Improving advocacy skills
Helping improve the training and lobbying capacities of women in advocacy is another key area for the OSCE Centre. "At first, it seemed like a game," said one trainee. "But without noticing it, we all got involved and began developing personal goals. Everything was so interesting - I was eager to use the knowledge I'd gained at work."
Participants focused on running public education campaigns, holding press conferences and writing press releases as well as targeting audiences with different approaches. Interactive games such as "the prisoners' dilemma" helped them develop negotiation and mediation skills.
To improve future gender projects, organizers have been collecting feedback from participants. Many feel that political parties should include gender policies in their programmes and that the media should be used to support educational campaigns promoting women's participation in Uzbek society.
The benefits
Helping participants improve their self image is a central goal of the OSCE Centre's training projects. Fear is often one factor that needs to be overcome. But results are promising and the women are developing concrete plans to help improve their own communities.
"I would like to develop the skills I've gained in problem-resolution in my own mahalla (neighbourhood)," said one participant from the Ferghana Valley. "Plans to build a highway could bring villages closer and ease communication."
Participants in the training sessions say the main benefit was greater confidence and practical knowledge. Most importantly, they appreciate that these training courses have one purpose - to help women increase their role in society.
"Only a year ago, I considered educational programmes an intervention by international organizations that would lead to the breakup of relations between local NGOs and their beneficiaries," said Dildora, a participant in the advocacy training. "Now, I've changed my mind. If you are a citizen, if you are not indifferent to what is going on around you, you have to get involved in advocacy campaigns. You have to help people get over their fear and create conditions so that everyone's voice is heard."
Supporting businesswomen
Getting women involved in the economic field is also a priority for the OSCE Centre in Tashkent. Women entrepreneurs from the city of Adijan and Karshi have been learning how to run small businesses. Participants have developed their skills in working with foreign companies as well as efficient management of production, tax laws and business contracts. Women have also been coming to the OSCE Information Resource Centre in Tashkent for business consultations.
The position of women in Uzbekistan has improved, but there is still a lack of educational programmes in leadership. To help rectify this, the OSCE Centre in Tashkent and the International Helsinki Federation (IHF) held women's leadership training seminars last November and February.
Participants discussed their visions of gender equality and analyzed particular violations of women's rights such as domestic violence - an issue that has yet to be addressed seriously by the government. They compared gender issues and successful projects in Kosovo, Rwanda and Sweden, and looked at the role of men in promoting gender equality.
An expert leadership trainer from Sweden, Niclas Ericsson, engaged participants in discussions about their personal experiences and led an interactive, role-playing session addressing gender stereotypes. There was also an emphasis on developing communication, conflict resolution and stress-management skills.
These were the first training sessions at which representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and state structures worked together on political and social issues.
Improving advocacy skills
Helping improve the training and lobbying capacities of women in advocacy is another key area for the OSCE Centre. "At first, it seemed like a game," said one trainee. "But without noticing it, we all got involved and began developing personal goals. Everything was so interesting - I was eager to use the knowledge I'd gained at work."
Participants focused on running public education campaigns, holding press conferences and writing press releases as well as targeting audiences with different approaches. Interactive games such as "the prisoners' dilemma" helped them develop negotiation and mediation skills.
To improve future gender projects, organizers have been collecting feedback from participants. Many feel that political parties should include gender policies in their programmes and that the media should be used to support educational campaigns promoting women's participation in Uzbek society.
The benefits
Helping participants improve their self image is a central goal of the OSCE Centre's training projects. Fear is often one factor that needs to be overcome. But results are promising and the women are developing concrete plans to help improve their own communities.
"I would like to develop the skills I've gained in problem-resolution in my own mahalla (neighbourhood)," said one participant from the Ferghana Valley. "Plans to build a highway could bring villages closer and ease communication."
Participants in the training sessions say the main benefit was greater confidence and practical knowledge. Most importantly, they appreciate that these training courses have one purpose - to help women increase their role in society.
"Only a year ago, I considered educational programmes an intervention by international organizations that would lead to the breakup of relations between local NGOs and their beneficiaries," said Dildora, a participant in the advocacy training. "Now, I've changed my mind. If you are a citizen, if you are not indifferent to what is going on around you, you have to get involved in advocacy campaigns. You have to help people get over their fear and create conditions so that everyone's voice is heard."
Supporting businesswomen
Getting women involved in the economic field is also a priority for the OSCE Centre in Tashkent. Women entrepreneurs from the city of Adijan and Karshi have been learning how to run small businesses. Participants have developed their skills in working with foreign companies as well as efficient management of production, tax laws and business contracts. Women have also been coming to the OSCE Information Resource Centre in Tashkent for business consultations.