October 12, 2021, Tashkent. Fair and free elections are prerequisite for the existence of democracy, and equality of rights of women and men, including electoral rights are foundation for the successful development of society. A series of trainings has started today on the topic "Elections and Gender: International and National Practices for Supporting Women in Politics". The trainings are organized by the United Nations Development Program in Uzbekistan (UNDP), the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CEC) and the Ministry for Support of Mahalla and Family of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Representatives of the CEC, the Ministry for Support of Mahalla and Family and non-governmental organizations that promoting ideas of free and fair elections, gender equality, including in politics, the rights of people with disabilities, support of initiative youth, girls and women are invited to participate in the training programme.

Welcoming speeches were made by Z. M. Nizamkhodjaev, Chairman of the CEC, M. Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, K. Obolensky, Ambassador of Switzerland to Uzbekistan and G. M. Marufova, First Deputy Minister for support of the mahalla and family of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

• CEC’s efforts in promoting direct participation of voters in electoral process are commendable. This refers to the public outreach and poll workers training programs, which is also good way of limiting prospects of proxy voting in elections. I hope that this training programme will provide sufficient information for participants to support the CEC in dissemination of such information, about the importance of direct participation of women in elections., - marked Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan.

Among the main topics of the training are “The electoral legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan: main news, important aspects to be paid attention,” “Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the socio-political situation of women in the world,” “International standards for elections and gender equality in politics,” "Gender quotas as temporary special measures," "Elections and gender in Uzbekistan: the main nuances of legislation," "The electoral cycle and gender-oriented activities in the field of elections," "Support and resources for active women" and others.

It is expected that these trainings will help establish inter-organizational ties to strengthen cooperation in the electoral sphere, increase the level of legal awareness of international standards for holding elections, the electoral cycle and other aspects of international and national electoral law, explain the importance of women's participation in decision-making processes and develop recommendations for support and advancement of women in the social and political sphere in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In total, it is planned to conduct seven trainings in an online/offline format with participation of representatives from all regions of the country.

The training program is funded by UNDP, the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan.

UNDP continues to support the Central Election Commission of the Republic Uzbekistan to build the capacity of election organizers and stakeholders, increase participation of women, youth and people with disabilities in elections and carry out electoral legal reforms to strengthen the electoral process in line with international legal standards and good practices.