ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

On 12 April 2022, SRSG Natalia Gherman, participated in the meeting of the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC).

The CAWLC was inaugurated in December 2020 with the support of UNRCCA and UNDP as a first-of-its-kind platform in the region committed to enhancing the political, economic and social participation of women in Central Asia.

In her opening remarks SRSG Gherman highlighted the CAWLC’s continuous role in promoting of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, advancing gender equality policies and contributing to the regional cooperation on a wide range of issues pertaining to peace and security in Central Asia.

Looking ahead, SRSG Gherman encouraged members of the CAWLC to step up its advocacy and outreach efforts and ensure broad participation of women leaders and civil society organizations at all levels in the platform’s activities. 

The meeting focused on CAWLC’s plans and objectives under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan in 2022.

The meeting chaired by H.E. Gulshat Mammedova, Speaker of the Parliament of Turkmenistan and Chairperson of the CAWLC, brought together founding members of the Caucus -- prominent female politicians, as well as representatives of the UNDP and UN Women who have supported the platform since its inception.

Highlighting the increasing prominence of the Caucus, Ms. Gulshat Mammedova noted that in 2022 the platform will concentrate its effort on contributing to normative frameworks related to gender equality, enhancing economic empowerment and the role of women in addressing consequences of the climate change.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the CAWLC’s General Provisions and the action plan for 2022. The action plan envisages numerous activities promoting regional partnership aimed at advancing WPS agenda and achieving progress in implementation of the SDGs in Central Asia.