Empowering Women Leaders in International AML/CFT actions

UNODC has created an exceptional platform for discussion and exchange of experience in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women professionals working in the field of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), police, financial intelligence, as well as independent gender equality experts.

An international forum on “Empowering Women Leaders in International AML/CFT actions” brought together participants from 47 countries, including the Central Asian countries, and was held at the UNODC headquarters (Vienna, Austria), organized by the Global Program on Anti-Money Laundering.

For a long time, the representatives of Central Asia had the opportunity to participate in this seminar.

 

The subject of the workshop’s discussion was the most pressing issues of the impact of the pandemic and digital transformation on the activities and career development of women in the field of AML/CFT. Men and women leaders in AML/CFT are encouraged to use their voices in various international AML/CFT forums to achieve change towards gender equality.

Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, delivered a video message to the audience. She stressed that women's rights must be taken into account at every stage as drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism, as well as the money flows that go with them, including illegal financial flows, money laundering, affect women and men differently.

 

“To support and promote networks of female criminal justice practitioners in Central Asia, UNODC is committed to working closely with the association of women police officers and women judges. We have implemented capacity building programs for women in policing, supporting female officers, engaging in container control, anti-money laundering, encountering terrorist financing to develop their skills and advance in their careers. UNODC will continue to support the member states in the region in their efforts to combat gender-based discrimination and promote women empowerment”, stated Mrs. Mittal.

 

In addition to exploring issues in the field of promoting gender equality and women empowerment, the participants of the seminar also had an opportunity to improve the interaction of financial intelligence units.

Within the framework of the seminar, an informal bilateral meeting of representatives of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan was held, where joint investigations and further aspects of strengthening cooperation and searching for new areas of cooperation were discussed. In general, the seminar fully reflected the complexity and diversity of gender issues, and that a comprehensive solution to the problem lies in understanding the women's point of view, destroying stereotypes and creating partnerships between women and men.

The participants of the event expressed their interest in continuing the dialogue on gender equality issues with the possibility of holding similar events at the regional level.

Story in Russian language 

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For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and PR Specialist 

UNODC Criminal Justice sub-Programme in Central Asia 

+996775987817 WhatsApp 

vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org