THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES DISCUSSED ISSUES ON THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY

On December 9, 2021, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the Regional Office of the UN Women Structure for Europe and Central Asia and the UN Women Structure in Kazakhstan, held consultations on the protection of women's rights and the promotion of gender equality with the participation of national human rights institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Russian Federation and Mongolia. The consultations were attended by the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan I.I.Rogov, Chairman of the National Commission on Women's Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan L.K.Ramazanova Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan F.F.Eshmatova, Head of the Human Rights Commission of Mongolia H.Zhargalsaikhan, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Information and Public Development A.K.Umarov, and heads of non-governmental organizations of Kazakhstan and Central Asian states.

As noted by Elvira Azimova, national human rights institutions, which include the Commissioner for Human Rights (referred to in some countries as ombudsmen, human rights defenders, human rights commissioners) and national commissions on human rights, women's rights, and family and demographic policy have a high potential to promote issues of effective improvement of the status of women both in their countries and at the regional and international levels.

Around the world, December 10 is celebrated annually as Human Rights Day. Exactly 73 years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Every year this day is dedicated to a specific topic. In 2021, Human Rights Day is dedicated to the theme «Equality». According to article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: «All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights».

The principles of equality and non-discrimination, especially about women and men, are revealed by the International Strategy for Gender Equality, which was adopted in 1995 at the Fourth UN World Conference on Women in Beijing (1995). The International Strategy recommended that Governments and national institutions promote gender mainstreaming in all areas and public policy programs.

The participants of the consultations agreed to continue regular regional meetings to implement joint projects and exchange experience in promoting the rights and opportunities of women and men, implementing educational and social projects to prevent discrimination, early marriage, violence, and assisting women and children in difficult situations.