The holding of an international conference on "Women, Peace and Security" in Almaty under the auspices of the Women's Dialogue of Central Asian Countries attracted the attention of participants from various countries and organizations. The event, supported by the UN and the National Commission on Women, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, provided a platform for discussing important issues related to gender equality, peace and security at the regional level, El.kz reported.
The Central Asian Women's Dialogue is an informal forum for discussing key issues of development and strengthening cooperation between women in the region. The dialogue was initiated in December 2020. In previous years, the Dialogue was chaired by Uzbekistan (2021) and Turkmenistan (2022). The Dialogue was created and operates with the support of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In previous years, the Dialogue was chaired by Uzbekistan (2021) and Turkmenistan (2022). The Dialogue was created and operates with the support of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women.
This year, Kazakhstan is chairing the Central Asian Women's Dialogue, serving as a platform for dialogue between women parliamentarians in the region on topical issues of development and cooperation. The participants included members of parliaments of several countries, leaders of state bodies, representatives of various commissions and organizations, as well as the diplomatic corps and public figures.
Daniya Yespayeva, Deputy Chairperson of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, focused on the growing problems related to gender-based violence against women and girls, against the backdrop of escalating conflicts and increasing instability in the world.
She said: "This is particularly important in the context of the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, as a result of which both women and children, as the most vulnerable segments of society, are victims. And the agenda we are discussing today should be viewed through the prism of the need for a more detailed solution to issues related to the security of women in armed conflicts and humanitarian disasters."
The initiative of the European Union and the UN called "SpotLight", aimed at eliminating all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls in the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan, which received active support from the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was also highlighted.