Gender Theme Group meeting 17 November 2004

Participants:
Ms. Lilia Zaharieva, UNTOP
Ms. Dilafruz Nazarova, UNTOP
Ms. Lyuba Djalladyan, CARE Tajikistan
Ms. Sanobar Musoeva, Swiss Cooperation Office
Ms. Gunta Robezniece, OSCE
Ms. Nagris Nurullokhoja, OXAFM

Agenda of the Meeting:

1. Introduction
2. Implementation of the Resolution of the UN Security Council 1325 by concerned institutions (Government, UN Agencies, NGOs)
Ms. Liliya Zaharieva, UNTOP
Ms. Dilafruz Nazarova, UNTOP
3. Presentation of Quantitative Gender Gap Analysis done by CARE Tajikistan in the frame of gender mainstreaming
Ms. Lyuba Djalladyan - CARE Tajikistan

Main Outcomes of the Meeting:

1. UNTOP presented action plan to implement Resolution of UN Security Council 1325 for consideration by members of gender thematic group (both action plan and UN Security Council Resolution attached to the present minutes). Other organizations dealing with gender issues are invited to participate in the activities set up by action plan. As per action plan UNTOP is planning to conduct round table on implementation of Resolution of UN Security Council 1325 at the end of January 2005. Those interested in these activities can address Ms. Lilia Zaharieva and Ms. Dilafruz Nazarova from UNTOP.
2. CARE Tajikistan presented main findings of both quantitative and qualitative gender gap analysis in the frame of CARE Gender Equity and Diversity (GED) policy. Study had been of internal character and provided a lot of useful information about internal organizational atmosphere and policy. Short information about outline of the study and findings is attached. CARE Tajikistan had been requested to share with interested organization its methodology. For further issues please address Ms. Lyuba Djalladyan.
3. OSCE informed about its activities in the frame of coming elections campaigns aimed at advancement of role of women in elections process. OSCE is going to produce short documentary film on women's participation in elections and awareness about elections process. OSCE suggested that members of gender thematic group can be involved in discussing/commenting scenario of the film. Those interested can contact Ms. Gunta Robezniece, OSCE
4. OSCE is planning to work with newly elected Parliament as well as public service school on gender sensitization.
5. OSCE invited Ms. Dono Abdurazakova, Gender Advisor from UNDP RBEC to provide gender sensitization and mainstreaming training for high level officials from Government of Tajikistan. Training is taking place on 1-2 of December 2004. Members of Gender thematic group are invited to attend the training. Those interested can contact Ms. Gunta Robezniece, OSCE
6. OXFAM is going to conduct pilot research "Cotton and Gender". Research will start in December and will last for three months. It will focus primarily in Khatlon province, but OXFAM is planning to cover all the country. Study will be lead by international consultant in cooperation with local experts.
7. In the end of January 2005 OXFAM is holding a conference on "Good Practices in Rural Water Management" which will focus on drinking water. Gender will be addressed as a cross-cutting issue. Those interested can contact Ms. Nargis Nurollokhoja from OXFAM.
8. During the meeting Ms. Nargis Nurullokhoja shared with participants a book of Ms. Collete Harris "Control and Subversion" which analyses gender issues in Tajikistan. It is a first serious scientific publication about gender in Tajikistan; therefore it is suggested to translate it into Tajik and Russian. E-version of this book can be obtained from Ms. Nargis Nurullokhoja.

At the end of the meeting it had been suggested that members of the gender thematic group can be more active and can directly address each other for exchange.