OSCE organizes visit of Tajik women politicians to Kyrgyzstan

A group of 11 women politicians and parliamentarians, representing all eight of Tajikistan’s registered political parties and civil society, met counterparts in Kyrgyzstan as part of a visit organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan in co-operation with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek from 9 to 13 April 2013.

The visit focused on how to increase women’s participation in political life, as well as on ways to advance women as leaders, decision-makers and candidates.

"This exchange of ideas and approaches has helped to strengthen co-operation between women politicians in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as between women politicians in Tajikistan," said Maria Gratschew, the Gender and Anti-Trafficking Officer at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

While in Bishkek, the politicians met Asiya Sasykbaeva, vice-speaker of Kyrgyzstan’s Jokorgu Kenesh (Parliament), as well as Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. They observed a session in the Parliament with Kyrgyzstan's Education Minister responding to questions, and then met women parliamentarians to discuss how political processes in Kyrgyzstan have resulted in the nomination of women to senior public positions.

Exploring ways to increase engagement between the legislature and civil society, the Tajikistan politicians attended a session of the Women’s Discussion Club for Democracy, which includes activists from political parties and civil society organizations as well as Members of Parliament.  Discussion focused on refining Kyrgyzstan's existing quota system to increase the representation of women. 

Makhfirat Khidirova, head of the ruling People’s Democratic Party caucus in Tajikistan’s Parliament, commented on the relationship between education and representation in political life: “The importance of education as the driving force promoting the enhancement of women’s role in the society cannot be underestimated.  Tajikistan is enrolling more talented young women from rural areas in higher education.”

The visit continued the exchange between women politicians from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan which began in November 2012, when the OSCE Office in Tajikistan hosted three members of parliament from Kyrgyzstan, who met women politicians from all registered parties in Tajikistan and members of parliament.