National Agency for Social Protection and UNICEF Discuss Implementation of EU Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A working meeting was held in Tashkent between representatives of the National Agency for Social Protection and the UNICEF Office in Uzbekistan. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the implementation of joint initiatives under the European Union programme “Women’s Economic Empowerment.”

During the meeting, participants examined the adaptation of the programme package to national conditions, capacity-building for specialists, regional rollout of initiatives, and the establishment of a sustainable referral mechanism linking families and adolescents to appropriate social services.

The discussions involved specialists from the National Agency for Social Protection, psychologists from the Tashkhis Centre under the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, as well as UNICEF representatives Antonia Lüdeke and Diana Ilkhamovna Isaeva.

Particular attention was given to adapting the programme content, training 50 master trainers and 400 regional specialists, and organizing work with parent groups and adolescents. The participants also explored the introduction of an effective referral system between schools and the social protection system.

According to the implementation plan, the programme will cover eight districts across four regions, encompassing a total of 64 clusters. By 2028, participation is expected to reach 1,500 parents and 2,000 adolescents.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to promoting positive, non-violent, and gender-sensitive parenting, strengthening child protection mechanisms, and ensuring the consistent continuation of cooperation.