DUSHANBE, September 3, 2008, Asia-Plus — An international two-day conference, formally titled “Role of Female MPs in Development of Society” opened in Dushanbe today.
The conference, initiated by the upper house of the Tajik parliament, brought together female parliamentarians from Central Asia’s states and Azerbaijan to discuss issues related to the role of women in development of society, parliamentarism, as well as dialogue on this subject between the countries of the region.
Inaugurating the conference, Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper house of parliament) pointed to the necessity of raising role of women in development of society. He also noted that dialogue of legislators, exchange of views and experience “is one of the main conditions for harmonization of views and positions for further development of countries, regions and the whole international community.”
The conference is considering issues related to reduction of poverty, improvement of education level of women, gender equality, expansion of rights and opportunities for women, mother and child health care, etc.
In the meantime, according to Ms. Shujoat Hasanova, Deputy Speaker of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament), women currently constitute 10 percent of deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon and 4 percent of members of the Majlisi Milli.
