Gender equality is more than just a human right – it is the best chance societies have in overcoming some of the most pressing challenges of our time—from economic crises and global pandemics, to climate change and spiraling poverty. Women are not only dispoportionaly affected by these problems – they possess ideas and leadership to solve them.
These were some of the themes discussed today at the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus, held in parallel with the regular Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. In her opening speech, Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan said she was optimistic about the ability the Caucus to enact transformative change for women’s empowerment, and that in the framework of chairmanship of the Caucus Uzbekistan "will do its best to make it a completely new and high-quality platform for consultations aimed at development of comprehensive cooperation between women in the region".
During the Forum, Caucus delegates reviewed progress achieved by the Central Asian countries in implementing gender equality policies, explored how to enhance and expand dialogue between women leaders of Central Asian countries in various spheres of regional cooperation and reviewed proposals on strengthening cooperation between the states in gender policy. They also discussed ways to increase the role of women in the region in political, economic and social life of societies they represent.
In 2019, Kyrgyzstan passed a quota law ensuring at least 30 percent women in local elections. As a result, 43 local councils have elected women chairpersons, and women's representation in local government leadership has also increased significantly. In Tajikistan, on the outcome of the 2020 parliamentary elections, women's representation increased from 19 percent to 23.8 percent in the lower house of Parliament, and from 18.7 percent to 25.8 percent – in the upper house of Parliament. In Uzbekistan the representation of women at the highest levels of government reached 26.6%. A solid talent pool of 15 thousand advanced, leading, highly educated women has been formed in Uzbekistan to work in government structures.
Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS told the delegates in her speech that several months ago when they launched a Caucus, they could not have foreseen how successful and impactful it would become. "Events jointly organized from the Women Business Forum in Tashkent to the CSW Consultations and to the Roundtable on Women's Leadership and Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding demonstrate how much women can do when they join forces," she said, adding that priorities highlighted by the work of the Caucus will undoubtedly be useful in the preparation process of a new Gender Equality Strategy, which UNDP is starting to develop.
Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, noted that in May 2021, the Senate of Uzbekistan approved a national Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality until 2030. "The document includes a number of areas, such as the systematic training of women reserves through special programs, their appointment to leadership positions, the development of women's entrepreneurship, and increasing their access to financial resources," she said.
As noted at the Forum, the countries of Central Asia share common traditions, history, culture and religion, as well as similar challenges in ensuring gender equality and protecting women's rights. At the same time, each country has its own positive experiences and examples of best practice in gender issues, including the development of women's entrepreneurship, employment and social protection of women, their participation in public affairs, science, healthcare, education and culture in general. It is therefore in the common interest of women throughout the region to share this positive experience and actively cooperate on all gender issues, both in multilateral and bilateral formats.
During the event, the Caucus adopted the Declaration of the Forum of Women Leaders of Central Asia, which reaffirms the commitment of the Caucus to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Decade of Action to Achieve the Global Goals, and also notes the position of the Caucus in advocating the development of effective ways to fully realize the scientific, technical, creative, intellectual and entrepreneurial potential of Central Asian women, and continued efforts to empower women and girls in the entrepreneurial sphere.
At the conclusion of the Forum, the Caucus participants agreed that they need to further expand cooperation, share positive experiences to ensure effective work of this regional platform and make an important contribution to deepening the regional partnership for the benefit of the Central Asian countries.
Speaking at the forum, Natalia Gherman, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, said gender equality is impossible without the full economic participation of women. “This is why our Caucus' work in this area is so significant. The development of economic potential and economic cooperation among women definitely contributes to the regional development, opens up new opportunities, and promotes sustainable peace and security," she stressed.
Members of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus, in particular Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, Ms. Gulshat Mammedova, Chairperson of the Mejlis of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan, Ms. Aigul Kuspan, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security of Mazhilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms. Aida Kasymaliyeva, Deputy Toraga of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Khilalbi Kurbonzoda, Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as Ms. Natalia Gherman, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, and Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS attended the event.
Along with this the Forum participants heard the Address of the Heads of Central Asian States to participants of the Caucus, which expressed support for this platform for the development and strengthening of comprehensive ties between women of the region.
At the conclusion of the Forum, the Caucus participants in their response Address to the Heads of Central Asian States expressed their deep gratitude for their close attention to the event, support and conditions created to ensure its effective work.
