On October 30, an online training was organized on the topic “The Role of Bar Institutions and NGOs in ensuring gender equality and protecting the rights of victims of gender violence”.

The training seminar was organized in cooperation with the Bar Association of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within the framework of the project of the Ministry of Support for Mahalla and Family in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) “Empowering women to participate in public administration and socio-economic life ”with the financial support of the Swedish Embassy.

The training was attended by 50 lawyers and NGO representatives, who directly work with the victims of violence.

UNDP expert in Uzbekistan Gulnora Ishankhanova spoke about gender analysis of the problems of law enforcement practice and factors hindering access to justice in Uzbekistan.

After that, the participants of the training studied international practice of ensuring the protection of the rights of victims of violence during the investigation and in court, and held a “brainstorming session” and shared their views.

The participants familiarized themselves with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The seminar participants discussed plans to be implemented in Uzbekistan in accordance with this Convention.

The training participants were also taught about the role lawyers and NGOs in the implementation of the Laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the protection of women from oppression and violence” and “On guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for women and men” and the significance of these documents. In addition, they learned about best international practices to identify and combat forms of harassment and violence.

In addition, psychologist Liana Natroshvili shared her recommendations on how to recognize a victim of violence and how to talk to them. Participants learned the skills of conducting psychological tests to recognize violence.

Participants of the training shared their thoughts, asked questions and received answers from specialists.

For example, participants discussed such issues as the possibilities of obtaining free lawyer services for victims and the legal framework for this; laws covering violence against women in a public place and others.

Based on the results of the training seminar, it was proposed to jointly develop a "Methodological manual for lawyers on the conduct of forensic psychological examination in criminal cases on the protection of the rights of victims of gender-based violence."