Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — From 30 January to 1 February 2025, a three-day training on the role of mahallas in ensuring gender equality and preventing violence against women began in Tashkent.

The event is organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Mahalla Association of Uzbekistan, with financial support from the UK government’s Department for International Development.

The training aims to enhance the capacity of mahalla leaders in preventing gender-based violence and protecting women’s rights. The program included discussions on:

The impact of gender stereotypes and their consequences for society;

International and national legal mechanisms for the protection of women’s rights;

The role of mahallas in preventing and responding to cases of violence;

Integrating gender-sensitive approaches in community work;

Analyzing traditional, religious, and social norms affecting women’s rights.

Dr. Nigina Abaszade, UNFPA’s Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of collective efforts to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women. She noted that mahallas could play a key role in preventing and responding to cases of violence against women and girls.

The training program covered a wide range of topics, including the influence of mahallas on shaping social norms and values, as well as the protection of women’s rights from the perspective of Islamic values.

Special attention was given to the analysis of gender discrimination, the impact of stereotypes on social life, and methods for transforming them.

Issues related to gender-based violence, its types, causes, and consequences, as well as legal mechanisms for its prevention, were also discussed.

The training concluded with a discussion of practical solutions for strengthening the role of mahallas in preventing and responding to gender-based violence, an exchange of experiences, and the awarding of certificates to participants.

In May 2024, UNFPA and the Mahalla Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding, laying the foundation for joint initiatives aimed at protecting women’s rights and combating gender-based violence.

As part of the partnership, events are held to strengthen inter-agency mechanisms and promote women’s rights, including discussions from an Islamic perspective. A key focus has been the training of community leaders, including men and boys, as part of initiatives to combat violence against women and girls.

One significant result of the partnership was the international conference “The Role of Mahalla in Improving the Local Population’s Living Standards,” which brought together UN representatives, international organizations, diplomats, scholars, experts, and mahalla activists from over 70 countries. The conference concluded with the adoption of the Samarkand Declaration, which outlined key principles for the development of the mahalla institution.

This three-day training is part of the long-term efforts of UNFPA and the government of Uzbekistan to create a sustainable social support system that ensures women’s rights protection, prevents violence, and fosters a more just society.