, May 23, Asia-Plus — An international conference formally titled “Women’s Movements of
Afghanistan
,
Iran
and
Tajikistan
: Experience and Prospects of Cooperation” opened at the “Kokhi Vahdat” State Complex in
Dushanbe
on May 23. Tajik NGO “Female Lawyers’ League” has staged the conference.
The conference has brought together activists of women’s movements from
Tajikistan
,
Iran
and
Afghanistan
. The conference is aiming to consider issues related to participation of women in development of small and medium-sized business as well as state of women in three counties.
Ms. Rano Abdurrahmonova, chairperson of the health department of the President’s Executive Office, inaugurating the conference noted that at present 153 of 2,143 NGOs active in
Tajikistan
were dealing with family and women’s affairs. “In Tajikistan, women constitute 47 percent of a total number of employees working in the education sector, healthcare, sports and social security – 58 percent, culture – 54 percent, judicial system – 36 percent, entrepreneurship – 39 percent, communications sector – 36 percent, transportation – 21 percent, construction – 13 percent,” Ms. Abdurrahmonova said, noting that women constitute 24 percent of all civil servants in the republic.
Known Tajik human rights activist also chairperson of the Board of the Tajik Branch of Open Society Institute/Assistance Foundation Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova telling the conference dwelled on legal aspect of joint solution of problems facing women in the countries of the region as well as on exchange of experience between women of Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan.
Ms. Zahra Maranlou, representative from Iranian delegation, noted at the conference that women constituted more than 50 percent of
Iran
’s 68-million population. “In
Iran
, young women constitute 68 percent of students at higher educational institutions of the country that is evidence of recognition of a role of women in all sphere of social life of the country,” Ms. Maranlou noted. She stressed with an active participation of women rates of maternal and infant mortality had considerably reduced in
Iran
. “At present more than 3,000 women’s NGOs are active in
Iran
, making contribution to development of gender equality,” Zahra Maranlou stressed.
Ms. Naya Hanefi, representative from Afghan delegation told the conference about problems that had faced women in
Afghanistan
, especially in under the Taleban movement. In her speech, she pointed out inequality between men and women in the socio-political life of
Afghanistan
. “This conference is the first opportunity to share opinions about problems facing women in our countries,” Ms. Hanefi said, offering holding the next such conference in
Kabul
.
The conference participants are working in three sections: “Participation of Women in Organs of Power on the Decision-Making Level”; “Participation of Women in Development of Small and Medium Businesses” and “Surveys on State of
Women
in Persian-Speaking Countries.”
Participants at the conference are expected to adopt recommendations on further expansion of joint activity.
On May 24, a roundtable meeting entitled “Beijing Platform and Implementation of Plan of Actions for Future Cooperation” will be held in
Dushanbe
. The meeting is supposed to prepare national and alternative reports on the “Liquidation of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women” Convention.
During their stay in Tajikistan Iranian and Afghan delegations intend to hold a series of meetings with representatives from Tajik intelligentsia, female entrepreneurs and MPs as well as to visit the Women’s
Education
Center
“Sarvar” in
Dushanbe
.
