Its participants – politicians, experts, representatives of foreign and local parliaments share their views on the summit.
Fawzia Zainal, Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain:
– I would like to emphasize that this summit, which was held in Tashkent for the first time, was very well organized. For this, I sincerely thank the representatives of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. The summit has become an important platform for women from all over the world, active in politics and society, to exchange experience and establish cooperation. We discussed many important issues, and this will contribute to solving the problems of women from different countries and ensuring their activity. Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone. This was especially hard for women. At the summit, we exchanged views on restoring the balance in society after the pandemic, increasing the role of women in eliminating its consequences. All women active in politics and public life must come together and work together to overcome the consequences of the pandemic.
Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akshagul Tulegenova:
– The summit can be called a historical event. For the first time in the countries of Central Asia, such a large-scale conference is held in Uzbekistan. At the summit held last year in Vienna, it was decided that the next meeting will be held in Uzbekistan, because the positive changes in the economic, political and social life of our country in recent years have attracted the attention of the world community, as well as the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
In recent years, great changes have taken place in the issue of gender equality and women in our country. For example, according to the results of the elections held in December 2019, 48 out of 150 deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, i.e. 32%, are women. In the Senate, this figure is 25 percent, and in local councils – 32-35 percent. The proportion of current female leaders in Uzbekistan is approaching 30%. Among our women there are ministers, ambassadors, governors, scientists, professors, Heroes of Uzbekistan. This is the result of the great attention paid to gender equality in our country. Almost 180 countries in the world are members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Uzbekistan became a member of this Union in 2017. Over the past short period, representatives of our country actively participated in all its events. Four deputies of the Oliy Majlis are members of this Union, three of our deputies are members of its different committees. This is a great achievement of Uzbekistan and testifies to the authority of the country in the world.
It is no secret that during the pandemic, the most difficult tests fell on medical workers. The majority of those working in this field are women. They lived in hospitals for months, saving people’s lives. At the summit, an exchange of experience took place on improving the lives of people who have gone through such difficult times, providing employment for women, and increasing their political and legal literacy.
The result expected from today’s summit is enormous. The Tashkent Declaration was adopted. We believe that it will become an important plan for all member states of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in their future work.
Woman Representative of Uganda Dorcas Acen:
– I would like to thank Uzbekistan for the initiative to hold this summit. I’m sure it will bring great results. The ongoing work affects not only all industries, but also individual areas. For example, in our country, thanks to the efforts of parliamentarians and political reforms, positive changes are observed in terms of reducing the cost of basic products. At the same time, the number of underage pregnant girls and women who have become victims of violence has been significantly reduced.
We participated in the summit to discuss the issues related to the pandemic. The participants discussed how COVID-19 has affected the lives of women and young girls. Those gathered here also talk about their experiences of overcoming the pandemic in their countries. I must note the importance of discussing gender issues, because women suffered the most during the pandemic. It is important to allow them to take leadership and develop the right plans on a global scale.
Interviewed by Guzal Sattarova, UzA
