Akiko Fujii: Uzbekistan is successfully fulfilling its gender commitments

Akiko Fujii, the UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, who participated in the Second Asian Women’s Forum, shared her views on the forum with UzA correspondent:

– I sincerely congratulate the Government of Uzbekistan on organizing this forum. The forum’s main events and sessions were held very successfully.

This prestigious event is highly significant for its content. Officials at the parliamentary and government levels from more than 20 countries gathered to discuss economic and social issues. These are not ordinary issues but globally important topics such as women’s rights, children’s interests, and gender equality. Importantly, on this dialogue platform, which included in-depth analysis, problems were raised, and proposals were put forward for firm commitments to address them.

I should note that significant progress is being made in Uzbekistan in these very areas. The protection of children’s and women’s rights has been strengthened. Commitments to achieving gender equality are also being successfully fulfilled. We are pleased to have established effective cooperation in this regard.

It is encouraging that women’s participation in public administration is expanding and that women’s entrepreneurship is growing, thanks to increased attention to their financial support.

Globally, women account for 27 percent of parliamentary seats, while in Uzbekistan, this figure has already reached 38 percent. This is a major achievement.

We noted with interest and satisfaction that the forum highlighted the need for international partners to unite in supporting Uzbekistan and in building an ecosystem in which important decisions can be made on issues such as strengthening women’s leadership, gender financing, and recruitment.

Women need to participate in making important decisions. If this process expands further, the positive changes in Uzbekistan will become even more widespread.

Norgul Abduraimova, UzA