AFEW International, in partnership with Ishonch va Hayot (IvH), has embarked on an initiative in Uzbekistan with the launch of their project “Empowering Voices for Inclusive Development: Strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Samarkand, Namangan, and Tashkent, focusing on women and youth,” AFEW International reported.
Supported financially by the European Union and the Dutch embassy in Astana, the project aims to fortify the capacities of local CSOs dedicated to supporting people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those affected by the virus, with a specific emphasis on women and youth. What sets this project apart is its innovative use of the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach to tackle HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
Sergey Uchaev, the director of IvH, shared the necessities and strategies behind the project. Uzbekistan's civil society organizations face myriad challenges in their operations, including legal and regulatory obstacles that impede their effectiveness. Despite improvements in the legislative framework, engagement in human rights advocacy remains challenging. The project seeks to address these issues by empowering local CSOs to become more effective agents of change through capacity building and fostering dialogue with governmental bodies.
Central to the initiative is the focus on women and youth, acknowledging their vulnerability and the need for tailored interventions. The ABCD approach, employed in this project, aims to empower these groups by recognizing their existing strengths and resources, thereby fostering self-confidence and management skills while reducing self-stigma. Through collaboration with 15 local CSOs across Tashkent, Namangan, and Samarkand, the project aims to enable these organizations to fulfill their roles more effectively.
Petra Kuipers, Program Director Central Asia at AFEW International, emphasized the significance of this project in promoting inclusive development and strengthening CSOs. By harnessing the power of the ABCD approach and fostering partnerships, the project seeks to create sustainable solutions that address the challenges faced by underserved communities.
This unique approach in capacity building not only aligns with the EU's priorities of promoting good governance and development but also reflects Uzbekistan's broader reform initiatives aimed at fostering civic activism and safeguarding human rights.
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