The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, organized a series of roundtable discussions and public speaking workshops. These events were aimed at regional women leaders, reserve women leaders, representatives of the “women’s wing” of political parties, local councils, youth, and the media in Jizzakh, Samarkand, and Bukhara.
The roundtable discussions commenced with local senators briefing participants on the upcoming elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local councils. They stressed the importance of increasing the current 30% quota for women candidates to 40%.
The sessions also explored the steps, obstacles, and opportunities needed to achieve this goal. Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions about implementing the gender equality policy outlined in Uzbekistan's Gender Equality Strategy until 2030. They focused specifically on "Ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men in the exercise of electoral rights" and achieving the target indicators.
Kamila Mukhamedhanova, head of the Effective Governance Cluster at UNDP Uzbekistan, addressed the barriers to women’s participation and leadership in Uzbekistan's political arena. She highlighted societal stereotypes, financial obstacles, and the pressures women face in political roles, providing recommendations to overcome these challenges.
Project manager Nigora Madazimova detailed the key legal and regulatory frameworks designed to promote gender equality in Uzbekistan, highlighting the various opportunities these policies have created for women.
Anvarjon Meliboyev, the National Public Information Officer of the United Nations Office in Uzbekistan, led a master class on public speaking. He emphasized that effective communication skills are crucial for building public trust, enhancing credibility in democratic processes, and establishing the reputation of a knowledgeable and reliable leader.
Participants left the discussions feeling confident that the skills and knowledge gained would help them play a more active role in the upcoming elections and in their ongoing efforts to advance gender equality in Uzbekistan.
These workshops and roundtables were organized as part of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and UNDP's project, “Achieving Equality by Supporting the Implementation of the National Gender Strategy of Uzbekistan”.
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