On Monday, June 8, the SCO Center for Public Diplomacy in cooperation with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the country and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, organized the International Women’s Forum titled “Voice of SCO Women: From Society to the International Arena.”
President of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies – Dr. Farhat Asif – represented Pakistan at the forum and made a virtual address.
In her concise talk at the forum, President IPDS laid out global gender disparity in top leadership and decision making roles, and noted that within each of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, women remain under-represented.
She also remarked that as representing quarter of the global population and GDP, there is no under-statement of the significance of the SCO.
In her address, Dr. Farhat diligently took stock of the women-in-leadership crisis in the region that the SCO represents, while suggesting pathways to overcome these challenges. She noted the forum itself is a remarkable way to mainstream women inclusion within the SCO frameworks.
The forum brought together representatives of state and public organizations, scholars, senators, researchers, experts, youth representatives, and activists from women’s organizations.
The event coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization this year, and aimed to support women’s initiatives, create favorable conditions for full realization of their leadership potential, and expand their active participation in socio-political and economic processes.
It was also deigned to strengthen cooperation between women in the SCO space, as well as supporting the scientific potential of women, expanding the participation of young scientists and researchers in international scientific cooperation, and exchanging experience in the field of science, education, and innovation.
As the forum opened, SCO Deputy Secretary General Piao Yanfan emphasized the importance of the forum in a video message.
Noting that the role of women in society and the international arena is increasingly strengthened, he said that it is important to ensure gender equality in the SCO space, support women’s leadership potential, and expand their active participation in science, education, innovation, and the economy.
Mukarram Nurmatova, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Family and Women of Uzbekistan, emphasized that increasing the role and influence of women in society, expanding their active participation in political, economic and social processes is one of the priority areas of state policy.
At the same time, she emphasized that expanding women’s opportunities in the fields of education, science and entrepreneurship is an important factor in sustainable development.
Malika Kadirkhonova, representative of the Committee on Youth, Women, Culture and Sports of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, noted the importance of developing women’s leadership potential and creating broad opportunities for young girls to participate in public and scientific activities.
Read More: SCO Secretary General Highlights China’s Global Governance Vision at IPDS Webinar
Qobiljon Sobirov, Director of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Center for Public Diplomacy in Uzbekistan, noted that the forum will serve to expand dialogue between women, develop public diplomacy, and bring cultural and humanitarian ties between countries to a new level.
The event was also attended by leading women from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in an online format.
At the forum concluded, the participants agreed on a number of proposals and initiatives to expand opportunities for women in the SCO space.
In particular, initiatives were put forward to develop international cooperation platforms among women, systematically establish mechanisms for exchanging experiences, widely involve young girls in the fields of science and innovation, and expand grant and educational programs for them.
Established in December 2008, The Diplomatic Insight is Pakistan’s premier diplomacy and foreign affairs magazine, available in both digital and print formats.
