Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) held a regular online meeting of the thematic working group on gender issues and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The online meeting was attended by representatives of the Secretariat of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, representatives of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan.

In particular, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Women and Gender Equality M. Kadirkhanova and senior officials of the Ministry for Support of Mahalla and Family took part in the event as representatives of Uzbekistan.

The event first discussed the policies, practices and initiatives implemented in response to COVID-19 and its economic and social impact on women.

The event participants discussed the ongoing reforms in their countries, as well as the empowerment of women and gender equality in the economy, including the presentation of data on programs and measures taken against the economic and social impact of COVID-19 on women and girls.

The meeting also discussed economic policy issues to empower women, ensure the stability of society in Central Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Recommendations and suggestions were discussed.