ASTANA, Kazakhstan

On 4 December 2023, Kaha Imnadze, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of the UNRCCA, addressed the final conference of the Central Asian Women Leaders” Caucus under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

With the focus on the outcomes of the Kazakhstan Chairmanship in the platform and gender based violence the conference brought together all high level representatives of the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC) from Central Asian states.

In his opening remarks the Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Erlan Koshanov noted an important role of the CAWLC as a catalyzer of a collective regional effort to address gaps and challenges to gender equality and gender based violence in particular in Central Asia.

Echoing Mr. Erlan Koshanov’s remarks, Chairperson  of the Senate of Uzbekistan Ms.Tanzila Narbaeva highlighted that the Caucus has evolved into a solid structure promoting the entire range of gender equality issues across the region.

In his video address focusing on further development of the CAWLC, SRSG Kaha Imnadze encouraged the Caucus to facilitate partnership between women organizations at the local level, to be more vocal on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and further contribute to discussion and implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda  at the global level.

The members of the Caucus adopted the statement condemning all forms of violence against women and committing to step up measures to implement comprehensive measures to counter gender based violence.

The conference participants highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s active Chairmanship in the platform focusing on Women, Peace and Security agenda, gender based violence and women in innovation.

At the end of the conference the Chairmanship in CAWLC was passed to the Kyrgyz Republic.

Read more about the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus: https://unrcca.unmissions.org/women-leaders-caucus