Ashita Mittal: "Stop Keeping Silence to Break the Violence"

Some 100 leaders of primary organizations of the Women's Committee of Higher Educational Institutions of Uzbekistan, partner organizations, representatives of government agencies and international experts took part in the training seminar "The Rights of Women Protected by the State", conducted by the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Central Asia.

The event was aimed at explaining the essence of the Laws "On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men" and "On the Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence" adopted on 2 September.

At the training seminar, Ms. Elmira Basithanova, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan - Chairperson of the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan; Ms. Ashita Mittal, Head of the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia, and Mrs. Sayora Baratova, Chairperson of the Senate's Committee on Women and Gender Equality Affairs addressed participants with the opening speeches.

"Adoption of these Laws has been a historical event in our country for the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of women and increasing their role and activity in the socio-political life of the country. This, in turn, has led to the international recognition of state policy on supporting women in Uzbekistan", said Ms. Elmira Basithanova, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan - Chairperson of the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan.

"It is an honour for us - as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - to partner with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in particular the Women's Committee, and it is important to understand how we together shall put efforts that will help eradicate violence and all forms of harassment against women, as well as ensure equal rights for men and women", said Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia. She also emphasized that promising reforms and transformative processes taking place in the country today have a positive impact not only on economic prospects. "I agree with Ms. Deputy Prime Minister that the adoption of these two laws is clear evidence that this initiative is an important step towards ensuring the principles of both gender equality and equality in general."

During the seminar, the participants discussed the adopted Laws "On guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for women and men" and "On the protection of women from harassment and violence", as well as topics on "Guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for women and men in the field of education and science", "Powers of Internal Affairs Bodies in the field of protecting women from harassment and violence", "Rehabilitation and adaptation of women victims of harassment and violence", and also reviewed provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and key directions of the state policy on protection of women from harassment and violence.

Ms. Gulnar Kudaibergenova and Ms. Indira Mukimova, National Programme Officers of the UNODC Regional Ofice for Central Asia introduced participants with the ongoing global initiative on "Education for Justice" implemented at all levels of the education system (primary, secondary, and tertiary), particularly the education module on "Ending violence against women and girls".

The UNODC Global Initiative "Education for Justice" (E4J) was launched in Uzbekistan in 2018 and significant results have been achieved during two years of its implementation. According to the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, this initiative is useful complementary tool for teachers-specialists in promoting a culture of lawfulness among young people, which helps to develop critical thinking skills, identify, prevent and resolve moral and ethical dilemmas. "Each person - as a citizen of his/her country - shall contribute to making the right decisions by acting honestly", said Ms. Ashita Mittal.

In the system of higher and secondary special education, 185 women (in 116 higher educational institutions, 69 academic lyceums) were assigned as members of the primary organizations of the Women's Committee, designed to provide support for talented, active and self-motivated girls, social protection of women in hardship, participate in creating the conditions for entrepreneurship of students of higher educational institutions, as well as the activities of the club "Qizlarjon" (girls).

With a view to express solidarity with the 16-day campaign "Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls," workshop participants launched orange balloons into the sky. Ms. Ashita Mittal called on those present to "Break the silence to prevent violence."

The event was conducted as part of the UNODC Global Initiative Education for Justice (E4J) within the framework of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia (2015-2019).

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