Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 16 October 2024 – A training session and discussion on gender and anti-corruption was held in Tashkent, gathering over 40 participants from government bodies, the Prosecutor General's Office, law enforcement agencies, and NGOs. The training featured a Transparency International expert invited by UNDP Uzbekistan to share expertise on combating corruption through a gender-sensitive lens.

Organised by the Anti-Corruption Agency of Uzbekistan in collaboration with UNDP and the financial support of the European Union (EU), the training explored how empowering women and integrating gender perspectives into anti-corruption efforts can enhance their effectiveness. Alyona Vandysheva, an expert from Transparency International with nearly 20 years of experience, discussed key vulnerabilities that disproportionately affect women in corrupt systems, such as limited access to healthcare services, higher likelihood of income reduction, exclusion from kleptocratic networks, and unequal access to resources. The session concluded that addressing these issues requires targeted strategies like collecting gender-disaggregated data on corruption victims, raising awareness of the gender-based impact of corruption, and promoting participatory, gender-responsive budgeting.

The expert also shared best practices from other countries to address gender inequality through anti-corruption measures. These include establishing quotas for public bodies and party lists, increasing the recruitment of women into public service,  providing mandatory training on corruption through a gender equality lens, and supporting women's leadership programs. Furthermore, ensuring a supportive environment with safe reporting channels and conducting effective investigations of violations were highlighted as essential steps to create a more inclusive and effective anti-corruption framework. Reflecting on the session, practical exercises encouraged participants to identify steps the state, civil society, and media could take to promote women’s leadership and shift societal attitudes, with solutions tailored to Uzbekistan.