LocationsUNDP Unites Civil Society Across Eurasia for Gender Equality Advancement
December 26, 2023
(from left to right) Zebo Sharopova, Executive Director, PO “Women Lawyers for Development”, Saida Inoyatova, Executive Director, PO “Ishtirok”, Kanoat Khamidova, Executive Director of PO “League of Women Lawyers”, Dilrabo Samadova, Head of PO "Office of Civil Freedoms"
This announcement was made by Corneliu Eftodi, the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Regional Advisor on Gender Equality during a thematic dialogue with representatives of civil society organizations on women’s empowerment earlier in December in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Eftodi emphasized that this meeting aligns with UNDP’s Strategy on Gender Equality 2022-2025, highlighting the critical need to foster partnerships with civil society and feminist organizations. The discussions delved into gender equality, addressing priorities, challenges, needs, and potential opportunities for future collaboration.
(from left to right) Corneliu Eftodi, Lazima Onta-Bhatta, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Tajikistan
“We see strategic partnership with women’s organizations critical in terms of advancing joint advocacy for rights in dialogue with national policy institutions as well as international partners,” Eftodi said. We met women leaders of civil society organizations representing various constituencies and areas of work, including women living with disabilities, women and girls representing youth, women in justice sector, survivors of violence, and many more.”
Corneliu Eftodi, the United Nations Development Programme’s Regional Advisor on Gender Equality during a thematic dialogue with representatives of civil society
The meeting provided the opportunity to discuss critical aspects that hinder gender equality that are fueled by social norms as well as opportunities and ways forward to advance results for gender equality in all spheres of life.
“One of the topics we discussed today is also related to the engagement of civil society at the regional level to track our joint efforts that are having regional dimensions, but also guide the strategic work on gender equality,” he added.
Corneliu Eftodi mentioned the need for a regional platform, which the UNDP regional hub plans to initiate it in 2024 as part of the development of the Regional Strategy on Gender Equality.
During the exchange, CSOs outlined their expectations for strategic partnerships with UNDP, while UNDP articulated its aspirations for collaboration at both country and Central Asian regional levels. The dialogue represents a significant step towards fostering meaningful cooperation in pursuit of shared objectives.
Media enquiries: Nigora Fazliddin, Communications Analyst, UNDP Tajikistan, nigorai.fazliddin@undp.org