Women Leaders of Uzbekistan Stand For Gender Equality and Human Rights 

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) acknowledges the fundamental importance of women's equal participation in decision-making, equal pay for equal work, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work and access to healthcare services that respond to women's needs. UNODC advocates for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls and is committed to ensuring that a gender perspective is actively and visibly mainstreamed in all its practices, policies, and programmes. 

To discuss the role of women in Uzbekistan and mainstreaming of gender perspectives in drug, crime and corruption policies, some 30 women leaders of senate, judges, prosecutors, including representatives of the Ministry of Support of Mahalla and Family, Ministry of Internal Affairs and UN of the Republic of Uzbekistan gathered at the roundtable and panel discussion led by Ms. Tanzilya Narbayeva, the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Ms. Ghada Waly, the UNODC Executive Director.

“Uzbekistan has undertaken significant reform efforts in key policy areas within UNODC’s mandates. Be it in the field of border management, law enforcement, criminal justice, health, education, or the fight against corruption, the full success of these reforms will rely on the participation of women in their design and implementation, on an equal footing with men.  Women’s rights and needs must be taken into account, every step of the way, as women and men are impacted differently by drugs, crime, corruption, and terrorism”, said Ms. Ghada Waly while addressing to the roundtable participants.

The importance in promoting the implementation of the requirements of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the SDGs, as well as legislative and policy measures on gender equality and empowerment and opportunities for women and girls were outlined by the panel discussion participants.  Also, it was suggested that the understanding the interrelationship between gender and transnational organized crime, drug-related policies, counterterrorism and corruption is vital in ensuring that policies, programmes and activities are effective for the population as a whole.  

Government of Uzbekistan adopted a law on “Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men” in 2019 which represents a firm stance against gender-based discrimination and ensures equal rights for both sexes. 

“Our country joined all main international conventions, ensuring legal, social and economic protection of women from any form of discrimination. The Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality in Uzbekistan until 2030 was adopted”, emphasized Ms. Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan.  

Gender Commission of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis shared their outcomes of the conducted initiatives and outlined the need for representation of women in law enforcement and the justice system.

UNODC is working with women judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers in Uzbekistan, providing targeted training and mentoring to the next generation of women leaders in criminal justice institutions. Giving women a seat at the table ensures more diversity and transparency in the decision-making process. 

Gender-based violence against women and girls (GBVAWG), with intimate partner violence as its most common form, is highly prevalent in many societies, and it erodes social cohesion and development. Due to the imposition of mass quarantine and travel restriction measures in many countries, women and girls were disproportionately subject to GBVAWG. In light of this awareness, UNODC ROCA worked with national counterparts to better inform women and girls about GBVAWG and supported helplines to ensure that such cases are reported, and that victims have access to necessary services.

UNODC remains committed to assist Uzbekistan to address transnational organized crime, trafficking in persons and all other forms of crime and violence. In the new cycle of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025, gender mainstreaming and women empowerment in the fight against drugs, corruption and terrorism ares a core priority. 

UNODC is guided by the Convention on Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Action Platform, various resolutions and decisions of the United Nations General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the Commission on the Status of Women to promote and implement gender equality in all areas of its work.

Story in Russian language

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