On the 13th to 14th of May, the Asian Women's Forum is being held in Samarkand on the topic «Regional approach to expanding the economic, social and political rights and opportunities of women». Its work involves women parliamentarians from the countries of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Central Asia, heads of government, representatives of government bodies and civil society institutions, business women, political scientists, social activists, scientists, representatives of economic sectors and other spheres.
From Turkmenistan, a delegation consisting of the Chairman of the Committee of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan on Science, Education, Culture and Youth Policy Bahar Seyidova and a member of the Committee on Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Agro-Industrial Complex of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Bayramgozel Myradova is participating in the forum.
At the opening ceremony of the forum, the Chairman of the Senate Tanzila Narbayeva read to the participants a greeting from the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who initiated this event in his speech at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. In her speech, Tanzila Narbayeva noted that in conditions where political and economic instability persists in the world, the risk of various conflicts and new risks increases, it is more important than ever to ensure the active participation of women in public administration, socio-political, economic, scientific, academic and cultural and humanitarian spheres.
On the first day of the forum, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bacchus, Director General of the UN Office in Geneva Tatyana Valovaya, General Secretary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin Chungong, as well as heads of parliaments of a number of states spoke about the goals and objectives of the forum, its significance and expected results.
The forum sessions discuss a wide range of issues related to the expansion of women’s economic rights, their political opportunities, ensuring women’s access to quality education and science, the development of women’s and family entrepreneurship, the protection of women’s rights and interests, as well as the elimination of all forms of violence against women and children. In addition, the issue of women's participation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is addressed. Particular attention is paid to the role of parliaments in stimulating women's participation in business and society. As a result of the forum, they plan to adopt the Samarkand Declaration.
