On October 4, 2024, the Central Asian Forum "The Role of Women in Science, Innovation, Food Security, and Sustainable Development" was held in Tashkent. The event was dedicated to the International Day of Rural Women.
The forum was organized by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Agriculture. Additional support was provided by the State Committee for Family and Women’s Affairs, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, and the NGO "Women Agrarians of Uzbekistan."
Lazzat Suleimen, Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participated in the forum and delivered a speech on the crucial role of rural women in ensuring food security and the sustainable development of agriculture. She highlighted that rural women play a key role in managing small land plots, caring for livestock, and maintaining family farms. However, their work is often undervalued, underpaid, and insufficiently supported, which exacerbates their vulnerability.
Suleimen also emphasized Kazakhstan's success in supporting rural women, noting that since 2012, the country has been implementing projects to train women in modern agricultural technologies. Through these initiatives, rural women not only acquire business skills but also collaborate to promote their agricultural products in urban markets. The introduction of green technologies, such as drip irrigation and hydrogels, has contributed to increasing productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
Additionally, Lazzat Suleimen highlighted the successful practice of holding the Republican Forums for Rural Women in Kazakhstan. These forums have become a key platform for exchanging experiences and promoting women’s entrepreneurship. For the fifth year in a row, the forums have showcased the book "100 Aul Women Who Raised the Flag" which features the success stories of women farmers and entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan.
The forum also addressed issues of regional cooperation in Central Asia, particularly in the areas of food security, improving agricultural productivity, and preserving biodiversity.
Participants emphasized that achieving sustainable development without the active involvement of women in these processes is impossible. The forum resulted in recommendations to introduce gender-sensitive approaches into agricultural policy and strengthen support for women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Zulaykho Makhkamova and UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Sabine Machl also spoke at the forum. Participants noted the importance of increasing women’s socio-political activity across the region, ensuring their involvement in entrepreneurship and farming, and advancing their talents in small and private business. Special attention was given to improving the political and legal literacy of women.
The forum became a significant platform for discussing the challenges faced by rural women and proposed practical solutions to improve their conditions. Participants highlighted the need to continue regional dialogue and support women’s initiatives aimed at sustainable agriculture and effective natural resource management.
The forum was organized by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Agriculture. Additional support was provided by the State Committee for Family and Women’s Affairs, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan, and the NGO "Women Agrarians of Uzbekistan."
Lazzat Suleimen, Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participated in the forum and delivered a speech on the crucial role of rural women in ensuring food security and the sustainable development of agriculture. She highlighted that rural women play a key role in managing small land plots, caring for livestock, and maintaining family farms. However, their work is often undervalued, underpaid, and insufficiently supported, which exacerbates their vulnerability.
Suleimen also emphasized Kazakhstan's success in supporting rural women, noting that since 2012, the country has been implementing projects to train women in modern agricultural technologies. Through these initiatives, rural women not only acquire business skills but also collaborate to promote their agricultural products in urban markets. The introduction of green technologies, such as drip irrigation and hydrogels, has contributed to increasing productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
Additionally, Lazzat Suleimen highlighted the successful practice of holding the Republican Forums for Rural Women in Kazakhstan. These forums have become a key platform for exchanging experiences and promoting women’s entrepreneurship. For the fifth year in a row, the forums have showcased the book "100 Aul Women Who Raised the Flag" which features the success stories of women farmers and entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan.
The forum also addressed issues of regional cooperation in Central Asia, particularly in the areas of food security, improving agricultural productivity, and preserving biodiversity.
Participants emphasized that achieving sustainable development without the active involvement of women in these processes is impossible. The forum resulted in recommendations to introduce gender-sensitive approaches into agricultural policy and strengthen support for women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Zulaykho Makhkamova and UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Sabine Machl also spoke at the forum. Participants noted the importance of increasing women’s socio-political activity across the region, ensuring their involvement in entrepreneurship and farming, and advancing their talents in small and private business. Special attention was given to improving the political and legal literacy of women.
The forum became a significant platform for discussing the challenges faced by rural women and proposed practical solutions to improve their conditions. Participants highlighted the need to continue regional dialogue and support women’s initiatives aimed at sustainable agriculture and effective natural resource management.