Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On International Women’s Day, UNICEF has called for gender equality for women and girls, focusing on empowering them to build a better future. This requires more robust participation of women in economic, political, and public spheres, enhancing access to formal and non-formal education and investing in girls’ participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and digital skills.

This year’s theme is "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow," recognizing the contribution of women and girls in the context of climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.

The government of Uzbekistan makes tremendous efforts for girls’ and women’s empowerment. While there has been substantial progress for them, much remains to be done to create equal opportunities for girls and women in both urban and rural areas.

This can be achieved by ensuring women and girls equal access to resources and opportunities, such as through access to formal and non-formal education, including STEM skills, legal employment, low-interest loans, and land ownership and use. State organizations, NGOs, and communities can contribute to eliminating discriminatory stereotypes on the roles and responsibilities of women and girls to achieve more positive results. The focus should be on those residing in remote rural areas, from low-income families, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.  

Girls with disabilities are particularly at risk of missing out on education and training and lack the minimum computer literacy to navigate safely in the digital world. This not only limits their future educational and employment opportunities but also makes them vulnerable to online abuse, harassment, and intimidation. In this regard, one of the priorities of UNICEF in Uzbekistan for this year is the approach to developing STEM skills among girls through a computer literacy program for girls, including those with disabilities.

UNICEF continues implementation of the social innovation program ImkonLab. This provides young people with the skills and the opportunity to realize their ideas for the benefit of their communities and is also essential to give young people with disabilities self-confidence.

To support the Government of Uzbekistan, UNICEF is calling for promoting more substantial participation of women in economic, political, and public spheres. In this regard, it is essential to advocate shifting gender stereotypes and norms on women’s participation and equality by targeting parents, caregivers, communities, religious leaders, and institutions.