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© UNESCO UNESCO Almaty and APCEIU jointly hosted a Regional Workshop on GCED in Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan 2025-06-17 A regional workshop on Global Citizenship Education took place in Almaty on 19-21 May. 26 May 2025 - Last update:29 May 2025 The UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty and the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) hosted the Regional Workshop on Implementation of UNESCO 2023 Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development with the Focus on Global Citizenship Education (GCED). The regional seminar was held as part of the implementation of the 2023 Recommendation. It is a revision of the 1974 Recommendation adopted by the UNESCO Member States in November 2023, reflecting shifts in the global and educational landscape in the 21st century, particularly the requirements of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education. Following the 2024 Asia-Pacific Policy Dialogue and Launch of the Recommendation on Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development, which was convened in Bangkok, Thailand, this regional forum in Almaty represents an important step in efforts to fulfil the 2023 Recommendation and achieve sustainable development across Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan. “All the seminar sessions were incredibly useful and inspiring. Each one contributed to a deeper understanding of Global Citizenship Education (GCED). One highlight was the visit to the Nazarbayev Intellectual School — the exchange of ideas with students and the presentation of their projects left a lasting impression on us. We also gained many new ideas not only from the trainers, but also from fellow participants from neighboring countries, which made the overall experience even more valuable and multifaceted.”Aborjon Uktamov, Head of Department, Methodology and Textbooks Department, Ministry of Preschool and School Education This onsite workshop was attended by about thirty representatives from Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, such as officials from Ministries of Education, educational policymakers, curriculum experts, teacher trainers, teachers and civil society representatives.  “Participating in the regional seminar deepened our understanding of UNESCO’s 2023 Recommendations on education for peace, human rights, global citizenship, and sustainable development. We received valuable practical tools and strategies that will support the effective integration of these principles into national education systems. Such seminars are extremely important, as they create a shared space for dialogue and cooperation between countries. They foster the implementation of cross-country initiatives in the field of education for peace and global citizenship.”Ayaulym Torebekova, Chief Expert, Center for Strategy and Analysis, Y. Altynsarin National Academy of Education under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan UNESCO and APCEIU equipped educators and policymakers with the strategies and tools necessary to foster resilience within societies through teaching and learning, thereby promoting a more just, inclusive and peaceful future in the seven countries.  “In cooperation with the UNESCO Almaty Office, APCEIU will support the participants to implement their own GCED activities in their local context. The action plans designed during the workshop are mentioning necessary support from APCEIU, such as support for the integration of GCED into their curriculum or programmes, organization of GCED workshop, and co-development of GCED material, etc. APCEIU will thoroughly review these requests, identify intersections between the requests and APCEIU's programmes, and carry out possible collaboration with the participants. Considering that one of the goals of APCEIU is to promote GCED particularly in Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan, APCEIU would like to provide its support as much as it can for the region.”Jay Jaehong Kim, Head of Education and Training, APCEIU  URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-almaty-and-apceiu-jointly-hosted-regional-workshop-gced-central-asia-iran-and-pakistan?hub=66921 UN Photo/Manuel Elías / A participant attends the Economic and Social Council Youth Forum (ECOSOC) at UN Headquarters in New York. UN Youth Forum brings fresh perspectives on sustainable development 2025-04-17 15 April 2025 ​ | SDGs Young people from across the globe are meeting at UN Headquarters this week to share their recommendations to transform the world into a fairer, greener and more sustainable place.   Putting sustainable change and social inclusion at the forefront of its effort, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum is the UN’s yearly largest gathering of young people.  “The urgency of shaping a more sustainable, inclusive and just future for all has never been clearer,” said the President of ECOSOC, Bob Rae, during the opening plenary session.   Convened by the ECOSOC President and organised by various UN departments, the forum provides a platform for young people to meaningfully engage in a dialogue with UN Member States and UN system entities.   “You are today’s leaders. We cannot wait for tomorrow, we need you to start participating and taking charge today,” Mr. Rae told the youth in attendance.    Youth at the Forefront This year’s theme, “Youth at the Forefront: Leveraging Science and Social Inclusion for Sustainable Development,” presents innovative ideas and initiatives led by youth and others to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.   “It is very important to represent the voices of people who do not have the chance or privilege to raise their voice on important topics,” Selvican Sahin, a Youth attendee from Germany, told UN News.  Social Inclusion  Faced with a series of complex crises, the world needs the voices of young people. As agents of change, youth are contributors to social justice, sustainable development and global security. The forum emphasises how crucial social inclusion is to sustainable development. “Getting as many people at the table is really important because then you can hear their concerns,” Ryan Li from Canada, told UN News.   Essential Voices   Bringing fresh and bold perspectives, young people serve a crucial and unique role, acting as a force for sustainable development, and driving innovation and progress at local, national and global levels. When asked about the importance of young people’s representation at the UN, attendee Chaïmane Ribani told UN News that young people “want to be part of the change”, and “want to be shaping these national and international policies.”  Acting as a strong foundation for a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future for generations to come, the active engagement of young people in such discussions is essential. “Empowering our young people is an investment that delivers sustained benefits across society and the future they shape,” said Philemon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly, during the opening plenary session. The ECOSOC Youth Forum is taking place from Tuesday to Thursday, and will comprise eight different thematic sessions dedicated to advancing the UN 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).      © UNICEF / People gather in front of collapsed buildings in the Mandalay region of central Myanmar, following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake. Myanmar earthquake: Search and rescue efforts continue in race against time 2025-03-31  30 March 2025 | Humanitarian Aid The human toll of the earthquake which devastated central Myanmar continues to rise, UN humanitarians warned on Sunday, putting more pressure on nearly 20 million people who were already in need of aid. According to news reports citing Myanmar’s military leader, around 1,700 are confirmed dead from Friday’s 7.7 magnitude quake, with some 3,400 injured and hundreds still missing.In the Thai capital Bangkok which was also rocked by the seismic event, 76 construction workers are reportedly still missing following the collapse of an unfinished skyscraper. The death toll there now stands at 17.The search and rescue effort in Myanmar is focused on the major cities of Mandalay and the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. Some survivors continue to be pulled from the rubble and multiple international aid teams have reached the stricken areas – although the aid effort is being hindered due to damage to airports.  Shelter, medicine, water “People urgently need shelter, medical care, water and sanitation support. This disaster puts more pressure on already vulnerable people facing an alarming crisis,” the UN aid coordination office in the region, OCHA, said on X.Burmese civilians are also stuck between forces of the military junta and numerous armed militia battling for control of the country since the February 2021 coup. More than three million have been displaced by the fighting.The National Unity Government which represents the democratically-elected civilian administration overthrown by the coup, called on rebel fighters to observe a two week ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need.But the military regime is reportedly continuing to carry out airstrikes, including in areas close to the epicentre of the earthquake  Call for ‘immediate ceasefire’ The Human Rights Council-appointed independent expert who monitors the situation in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said in a social media post on Sunday that the junta should follow opposition forces and declare an immediate ceasefire.“Military conscription should be suspended; aid workers should not have to fear arrest and there should be no obstructions to aid getting to where it is most needed. Every minute counts,” he added.The UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, is one of the agencies on the ground urgently working with partners and local communities to assess critical needs and deliver life-saving aid – particularly for women and girls.  Women and girls face ‘increased risks’ In an update, UNFPA said early assessments highlight significant damage to health facilities, population displacement and the disruption of essential services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare.“In emergencies like this, women and girls face increased risks, from compromised access to life-saving maternal healthcare to heightened risk of gender-based violence, " said Jaime Nadal Roig, UNFPA Representative for Myanmar.“UNFPA is committed to supporting relief efforts, placing the well-being of women and girls – including pregnant women, mothers, and adolescents – at the heart of our humanitarian response efforts.”UNICEF Myanmar's Ko Sai, said in a post on X from Mandalay, that the quake was “an absolute catastrophe” for children in the region, with many youngsters and families in Mandalay still missing.“We need urgent assistance, especially for the children, who often suffer the most in this kind of situation,” he added.   Lifesaving medical supplies The UN World Health Organization, WHO, has rushed nearly three tonnes of medical supplies from its emergency stockpile in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, to hospitals in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Daw.The UN World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director in Myanmar, Michael Dunford said in a tweet that the agency carried out its first emergency food distribution in Nay Pyi Taw on Sunday which included high energy biscuits “and we're about to scale up our assistance.”WHO on Sunday issued a 30-day flash appeal for $8 million to deliver trauma care, prevent disease outbreaks and restore essential services that have been decimated by the quake. Click here to donate to the UN emergency appeal for Myanmar  © UNICEF / A major road in Nay Pyi Taw shows severe structural damagefollowing the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar. URL: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/03/1161716 [Фото ООН-Женщины/ Дж.Аларкон] Демонстрация в поддержку прав женщин в Эквадоре. Комиссия по положению женщин: государства единогласно приняли Политическую декларацию 2025-03-19 12 марта 2025 | Женщины Делегаты 69-й сессии Комиссии ООН по положению женщин единогласно приняли Политическую декларацию, вновь подтвердив свою приверженность продвижению прав и расширению возможностей всех женщин и девочек мира.  Приверженность продвижению прав женщинВ документе признается, что 2025 год открывает новые перспективы для активизации усилий по реализации Пекинской декларации и Платформы действий, принятой в 1995 году на Четвертой всемирной конференции по положению женщин. Государства-члены вновь подчеркнули, что гендерное равенство является необходимым условием для устойчивого развития.«В то время как завоеванные с таким трудом достижения в области гендерного равенства подвергаются нападкам, мировое сообщество объединилось, чтобы выразить солидарность со всеми женщинами и девочками, где бы они ни находились», – заявила заместитель Генерального секретаря ООН и Исполнительный директор структуры «ООН-женщины» Сима Бахус, приветствуя принятие декларации.  «Переломный момент»Декларация подтверждает приверженность международного сообщества продвижению участия женщин в решении вопросов мира и безопасности. В документе подчеркивается необходимость привлечения жительниц планеты – в том числе в роли руководителей – к реализации мер по предотвращению и разрешению конфликтов, а также постконфликтному миростроительству.Государства-члены вновь подтвердили обязательство искоренить все формы насилия в отношении женщин и девочек, включая новые его проявления, такие как цифровое насилие, онлайн-угрозы и кибербуллинг.  Программа действий по достижению гендерного равенстваВ среду на сессии Комиссии по положению женщин (КПЖ) в штаб-квартире ООН в Нью-Йорке была представлена новая программа действий по достижению гендерного равенства. План основан на положениях Пекинской декларации и Платформе действий 1995 года по достижению гендерного равенства и продвижению прав женщин.Выступая на сессии, глава структуры «ООН-женщины» Сима Бахус заявила, что, несмотря на некоторые достижения, международное сообщество сделало недостаточно для защиты и продвижения прав девочек и женщин, так как они по-прежнему сталкиваются с насилием, несут на себе основную тяжесть последствий изменения климата и часто остаются в стороне от процесса принятия решений.«Настал момент, когда нужно двигаться вперед, – подчеркнула она. – Мы не должны отступать ни на шаг. Необходимо превратить обязательства в конкретные результаты».Программа действий «Пекин+30» направлена на достижение таких целей, как свобода от бедности, отсутствие насилия, полное и равное право принимать решения, равное право голоса в вопросах мира и безопасности, а также климатическая справедливость. Высокопоставленные представители ООН представили новую программу действий в рамках 69-й сессии КПЖ – крупнейшей в мире конференции по проблемам женщин, которая в этом году проходит с 10 по 21 марта.Первый заместитель Генерального секретаря ООН Амина Мохаммед выступила на сессии с видеообращением, в котором подчеркнула, что 2025 год должен стать годом действий, поскольку женщины и девочки сталкиваются сейчас с огромными проблемами: вооруженные конфликты продолжаются во многих частях мира, и насилие ежедневно уносит жизни тысяч женщин.«Давайте воспользуемся теми возможностями, какие у нас есть, – сказала она. – Давайте сделаем так, чтобы наши обязательства привели к долгосрочным последствиям». URL: https://news.un.org/ru/story/2025/03/1462156  A community radio station in Kenya supported by the Social Media 4 Peace project organizes live talk shows in local languages on hate speech and disinformation in 2023. UNESCO UNESCO - EU Partnership Grows: Tackling Disinformation and Hate Speech Globally 2025-02-28   The EU-funded Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) project has kick-started 2025 with a significant expansion to Iraq, South Africa and Kyrgyzstan. 21 February 2025Building on success in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Indonesia and Kenya, UNESCO continues to strengthen societal resilience against online hate speech, disinformation, and other harmful content while promoting peace through social media.Initially launched in 2021 with a 4 million-euro contribution from the EU, SM4P has successfully engaged key national stakeholders to develop locally informed responses to the challenges posed by harmful online content in Indonesia, Kenya, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Colombia. With a new contribution of 4 million euros in 2025, the project will extend its impact in Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, and South Africa while reinforcing achievements in Indonesia and Kenya. "The partnership between UNESCO and the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments at the EU is allowing us to address fast and with flexibility the impact of harmful content in societies in conflict-prone and polarized environments, while protecting freedom of expression and the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities." Tawfik JelassiAssistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO To date, SM4P project has mobilized over 80 partners through national multistakeholder coalitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Indonesia and Kenya. The project has produced ground-breaking research to better understand the real-life impacts of hate speech and disinformation on societies, especially communities in situation of marginalization and vulnerability, developed over 20 advocacy and user empowerment tools, and trained over 3,000 youth, journalists and CSO leaders. These efforts have enhanced fact-checking, advocacy, Media and Information Literacy, and peacebuilding narratives while protecting freedom of expression. The national multistakeholder coalitions have successfully engaged digital platforms to address the local challenges of the spread of harmful content online. Anida Sokol from Media Centar Sarajevo explains: "In BiH, we have a vibrant civil society that has been engaged in monitoring and countering hate speech. Before, although our country has been facing pressing challenges related to online hate speech, major social media platforms didn’t have any local presence or engagement in the country. Thanks to the multistakeholder coalition, this has changed. We are establishing meaningful dialogues with digital platforms and demanding more accountability."Anida Sokol Similarly, the project has strengthened coordination among stakeholders. Rosemary Mwangi from Communication Authority of Kenya shares her experience: In Kenya, all our efforts suffered from an inconsistent exchange of knowledge and experiences among us. Now, we joined forces through our multi-stakeholder coalition, FeCoMo. We are taking joint positions about emerging issues of digital spaces, and we are much more powerful in voicing what the needs for our communities are when we speak as one. Rosemary Mwangi SM4P’s influence extends beyond its target countries, contributing to global policy discussions on platform governance. At the 2024 International Conference on Digital Platform Governance in Dubrovnik, co-hosted by UNESCO and the National Regulator of Croatia, SM4P partners played a pivotal role in shaping the vision of the Global Forum of Networks. Their participation bridged knowledge gaps and advanced collective goals in digital governance.Looking ahead, SM4P will continue until December 2027, fostering multistakeholder collaboration and strengthening resilience against online harm. A key focus will be implementing UNESCO’s Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms, ensuring human rights and freedom of expression remain central to digital governance. The multistakeholder coalitions established through SM4P will be instrumental in applying these Guidelines locally while informing their broader implementation.  The project's national coalition of Kenya participates in a training workshop in 2023,during which the coalition adopts a joint resoultion for a multisectoral approach and actionto address gendered disinformation and hate speech on digital platforms. UNESCO  On February 12, 2025, Christina Kokkinakis, Permanent Representative ofthe European Union to UNESCO, delivers an opening remark and partipatesin the kick-off workshop for the expansion ofthe Social Media 4 Peace project at UNESCO HQ in Paris. UNESCO URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-eu-partnership-grows-tackling-disinformation-and-hate-speech-globally?hub=701  © UNESCO Training on MIL for Women Civil Activists and Deputies of Local Councils Took Place in Kyrgyzstan 2025-02-27  On 8 February, training on Media and Information Literacy took place in Bishkek for women civil activists and deputies of local councils. 20 February 2025 - Last update:24 February 2025The event was organised by the Public Association ‘Journalists’. The training was attended by civil activists, deputies of city and village councils from Bishkek, Chui, Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions, as well as representatives of the public organisation ‘Women's Democratic Network’. The training was conducted by well-known journalist and media expert Marat Tokoev, who addressed key aspects of media education:- the difference between facts and opinions,- informing and propaganda,- criteria for determining the truth,- the influence of social media, trolling and hate speech,- identification of fakes and dipfakes. The training was held in an interactive format, with participants analysing real cases, discussing challenges in the information space and learning how to apply their knowledge in practice. The training was organised with the support of the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty.   URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/training-mil-women-civil-activists-and-deputies-local-councils-took-place-kyrgyzstan?hub=66921 © UNESCO Launch of the "Youth as Researchers" Project in Central Asia 2025-02-12  The UNESCO Almaty Regional Office, in close collaboration with the UNESCO Office in Tashkent, the International Centre for the Rapprochement of Cultures under the auspices of UNESCO, and the Kazakhstan National Federation of Clubs for UNESCO, is proud to announce the launch of the Youth as Researchers initiative in Central Asia. 30 January 2025The UNESCO Almaty Regional Office, in close collaboration with the UNESCO Office in Tashkent, the International Centre for the Rapprochement of Cultures under the auspices of UNESCO, and the Kazakhstan National Federation of Clubs for UNESCO, is proud to announce the launch of the Youth as Researchers initiative in Central Asia. This exciting project empowers young people across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to engage in research on critical themes that impact their communities. Through this initiative, nine youth research groups have been selected to focus on five key topics:  Promotion of Science Peace and Intercultural Dialogue Gender Equality Youth Mental Health Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Over the next two months, these youth groups will undergo comprehensive training in research methodologies, particularly in the social and human sciences. This training will equip them with the necessary tools to develop impactful knowledge products, which will contain recommendations on the selected topics. The findings will be shared with the National Commissions and Permanent Delegations to UNESCO of the participating countries.The Youth as Researchers (YAR) programme, which is part of a global UNESCO initiative, is designed to empower young people to conduct research that addresses the issues they face. By equipping youth with research skills, YAR fosters evidence-based advocacy, encourages active participation in policy discussions, and strengthens their roles as agents of change in society.Stay tuned for updates on the progress of the YAR project and the invaluable contributions of young people across Central Asia to shaping their communities’ future. URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/launch-youth-researchers-project-central-asia?hub=701 © UNESCO UN Regrets US Exit from Global Cooperation on Health, Climate Change Agreement 2025-02-10  21 January 2025 - Humanitarian Aid UN agencies responded on Tuesday to President Trump’s executive orders ending US membership of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement, highlighting the massive potential negative impact on public health and efforts to curb global warming.“The WHO regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization…We hope the United States will reconsider,” said WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic, hours after the new President signed an executive order at the White House, bringing US involvement in the UN agency to an end in 12 months. The US joined WHO in 1948 after a joint resolution was passed by both chambers of Congress. The resolution requires the country to provide one year’s notice to leave the organization. President Trump took steps to withdraw from the WHO in 2020 during his first term – but the move was reversed by the Biden administration. Responding to journalists’ questions in Geneva, Mr. Jasarevic insisted that WHO “plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.” Asked about the impact of the US withdrawal, Mr. Jasarevic pointed out that he saw the executive order “this morning like everyone else” and that further analysis will be needed. He confirmed that the US was WHO’s largest single donor, accounting for 18 per cent of the agency’s budget in 2023. Also in Geneva, UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) spokesperson Jens Laerke highlighted the UN health agency’s importance, saying that “the world lives longer, healthier, perhaps a little bit happier because of WHO”. “WHO is in places where others cannot go,” Mr. Laerke said, including Gaza, Yemen, Afghanistan and Sudan. “It is an indispensable part of the international humanitarian system,” he insisted.  Climate shock From the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), spokesperson Clare Nullis reacted to President Trump’s vow to quit the universally adopted 2015 Paris Agreement - marking an immediate return to the policies of his first presidential term, which ended in January 2021. The need for all countries to respect the accord was “pretty obvious”, she said, given that 2024 “was the hottest year on record”, at about 1.55°C above the pre-industrial era. “It is the defining challenge of our time,” she insisted. In the wake of the recent devastating and deadly massive wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles, the WMO spokesperson also noted that the US had suffered the bulk of global economic losses from weather, climate and water-related hazards. “It has sustained 403 weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion. The total cost of these 403 events exceeds $2.915 trillion, according to US figures,” Ms. Nullis said. Her comments echoed those of the UN Spokesperson’s Office late on Monday which responded to journalists’ questions insisting that “the transformation envisaged in the Paris Agreement is already underway”, with a renewable “energy revolution” offering opportunities for jobs and prosperity. “The Secretary-General remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States - along with other countries - will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 21st century prosperity," the statement continued. “It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues,” it concluded.  URL: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/01/1159211 © UNICEF ЮНИСЕФ приветствует принятие Сенатом Олий Мажлиса Республики Узбекистан Закона «О прекращении всех форм насилия в отношении детей» 2024-09-05   TASHKENT, 15 August 2024 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), welcomes the approval of the Law for the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence today by the Senate of the Olij Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The law, which now awaits the president’s signature, outlines prevention and response measures to protect children from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation in all settings. The statutory instrument provides for multi-sectoral services designed to prevent and address violence against children. Globally, data reveals that more than 1 billion children experience physical, emotional, or sexual violence each year. In Uzbekistan, the recent MICS study found that 2 in 3 children aged 1-14 (62%) have experienced violent disciplining methods, and 33% of girls aged 15-19 believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife. These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive legal protections for children. “We are excited about the passing of the law by the Senate. This is a landmark legislation for the children of Uzbekistan and represents a significant step forward in safeguarding the well-being and protecting them from all forms of violence.” said UNICEF Representative Ms Regina Castillo. “As UNICEF we are keen to start supporting the Government and the people of Uzbekistan, with its implementation.” The Law on Ending all Forms of Violence Against Children provides a clear definition of violence against children and includes protections against various forms of violence, such as physical, psychological, and sexual violence, child neglect, exploitation, and bullying (including cyberbullying). Further, it promotes the non-use of violent disciplining methods in family and school settings. Additionally, the law allows for the issuance of protection orders for boys and girls subjected to violence and includes legal safeguards to protect child victims from secondary victimization in criminal justice proceedings. The law also provides for wide dissemination of information about violence against children and how to seek support if a child is at risk or has become a victim of violence. The law passed by senate today is the culmination of extensive working group meetings with line ministries under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice and the National Agency for Social Protection under the President. It is aligned with international standards and incorporates best practices from other countries in the field of ending violence against children. “The law, when implemented can potentially leapfrog Uzbekistan’s attainment of numerous Sustainable Development targets related to ending violence against children, specifically SDG target 16.2 that aims to end violence against children and SDG target 5.2.1 that aims to eliminate violence against women and girls,” said Ms Castillo. UNICEF stands ready to continue supporting the Government of Uzbekistan in the implementation of the law once it is signed by the President and comes into force. URL: https://www.unicef.org/uzbekistan/en/press-releases/unicef-welcomes-adoption-law-ending-all-forms-violence-against-children-uzbekistan © ПРООН / Кыргызстан Women's Creative Labs: UNDP Promotes Women Empowerment Through Creative Spaces 2024-09-05   Women empowerment is a cornerstone of sustainable development. When women are empowered, they contribute significantly to economic growth, social stability, and overall community well-being. However, in developing countries in general and areas beyond capital cities in particular, women often face unique challenges that hinder their potential. These regions, characterized by limited production opportunities, significant labor outmigration, and persistent stereotypes about women’s role in the society, require innovative solutions to harness women's capabilities. Despite existing development constraints and limited budgetary support from local governments, communities can create value-added products that drive development by leveraging local resources (including intangible assets like social capital, cultural norms, and branding) that could be monetized through creative expression; and women can make a major contribution towards that process.  The creative economy has significant potential to boost GDP and employment by enabling individuals to innovate and produce valuable products and services. These industries create jobs, improve quality of life, and foster inclusive societies, benefiting from greater involvement of women. According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, 40% of those employed in creative industries are women, most of whom work informally. However, the UNDP’s research on creative skills conducted in 2023 shows that despite strong interest among respondents in creative employment, half of the women cited "lack of financial support" as a key barrier to developing their skills.Additionally, 59% of women highlighted the need for safe creative spaces to meet, share ideas, support each other, and exchange experiences as a crucial institutional measure to enhance their engagement. To address these challenges, UNDP launched Women Creative Labs (WCL), representing first in Kyrgyzstan women-oriented coworking space with an extremely enabling and nurturing peer environment. Operating on the basis of cooperation with local NGOs and municipal governments, the Lab serves multiple functions, including giving access to seed financing sources to test or speed up women’s business ideas in creative enterprises, running special training and tutoring support programs, as well as providing conducive environment for exchanging information and knowledge on the topic of interest, such as financial literacy, gender equality, legal rights, and even sexual and reproductive health.The successful experience of the laboratory in Osh in 2022 made it possible to launch laboratories in Jalal-Abad and Batken in 2023.  By applying human-centered design approach and principles of inclusivity, the Laboratories aim to affect changes on multiple levels, going bottom up from beneficiaries to partners to communities. Participating women are the primary beneficiaries, gaining essential resources and skills to empower themselves financially, emotionally, and psychologically.  According to Gulsana Abytova, Head of the Laboratory in Jalal-Abad and Batken:“We were very eager to address the issues of women's unemployment, lack of job opportunities, and income through the strengths of women—practical skills in making kurak, shyrdak, souvenirs, providing tourist services, and more. Women need to meet like-minded individuals, share their ideas and experiences, learn new things from others, and receive support and a positive attitude. It is important for women to have their work, skills, and abilities recognized, which is not easy in rural areas. They can find all this at the Laboratory.”The words of Aidarbek Alisherov, Head of Ketmen-Döbö village in the Toktogul district, further attest to the recognition of the Laboratory’s contribution to community development:“In 2023, women from the village of Ketmen-Döbö joined the Women's Creative Laboratory, which is already operating in other regions of the republic, focusing on guesthouses in tourism and tourist services. As a result, four guesthouses were opened in the rural district, with one operating seasonally. Women are engaged not only in tourism but also in creating traditional carpets, patchwork items, and much more, which are long-standing parts of Kyrgyz culture. The Women's Creative Laboratory has assisted participants with training, workshops, and creating conditions for women in rural areas to work in various fields such as tourism, craftsmanship, and other areas. This has enabled women to develop the potential of their region, draw attention to its tourism potential, and create conditions for prosperity.” The Laboratory also enables grassroots NGOs to drive development agenda on the ground. Through disbursement of grants, the initiative provides opportunities to local partners in combining and testing contextualized conventional and innovative methodologies and approaches to inclusive economic development. Empowered grassroots organizations, mainly represented by women themselves, gain credibility and a strong voice to engage with local authorities and advocate for change as a united force. According to Nurlanbek Junusov, Head of the Unemployment Assistance Department in the city of Nookat:“This year, we held a series of events dedicated to women's employment. Among our most active participants were the coordinators of the Women's Creative Laboratory. They made a significant contribution to our events, actively participated, shared their ideas, and helped us achieve good results. Wherever we went, many women listened to the advice of our leaders, took their contact information, showed interest in their activities, and approached us with a strong desire to work. Therefore, we highly value their contribution to our efforts.” This journey continues with the hope of creating a broader impact through the development of a network of Women Creative Labs across the country. Already, more than 300 women have become Lab residents, and over 1,000 women have joined the network in various locations. WCL has proven to be a unique and scalable model that can be adopted by grassroots organizations and customized to fit local contexts. Thanks to the monetization of residents' creative skills and support from local governments, WCL can maintain operations and achieve both financial and content sustainability. A compelling example of this sustainability is the establishment of a women's cooperative in Kyzyl-Kiya, inspired by the laboratory model, which brings together women engaged in sewing production.  Another lab initiative aims to develop Toktogul into a tourist destination, boosting the local economy and community. Inspired by the model’s success, three new laboratories are to be open in Naryn region this year. This not only validates the model but also creates opportunities for future synergy and sustainability beyond UNDP's contribution. The creation of a network of laboratories will not only foster a community of practice with opportunities for information exchange, deeper expertise, and efficient use of resources, but also transform perspectives on the role of women in rural communities. This network envisions women as empowered, proactive community actors and equal decision-makers. In the next blog, we will explore how the Women Creative Lab contributes to normative and behavioral change in rural communities by challenging gender-based stereotypes.The blog was co-authored with Aikerim Motukeeva, UNDP consultant for the development of knowledge products. URL: https://www.undp.org/kyrgyzstan/blog/women-creative-labs-undp-promotes-women-empowerment-through-creative-spaces