CAREC Gender Award for Advancing Gender Equality 2023 - Women's Empowerment Online Platform

The CAREC Gender Award for Advancing Gender Equality aims to recognize the efforts and chievements of women, men, and organizations in CAREC member countries (Azerbaijan, People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) in promoting gender equality, equal rights, and opportunities in day-to-day lives, at workplace and communities.

Eleven individuals and organizations were hailed as CAREC Gender Champions in the inaugural award ceremony held in Tbilisi, Georgia in November 2023.

Azerbaijan

Gender Hub Azerbaijan

Gender Hub Azerbaijan (NGO) is an active advocate for women’s rights, contributor to policy dialogue and facilitator of capacity-building programs for women, especially young women, across the country. Although relatively new (set up in 2021), the organization unites women, volunteers, and activists throughout the country, and has become known for its support for vulnerable groups, including survivors of domestic violence, to make them socially and economically empowered.

People’s Republic of China

Waipula Village, Yunnan

Located in Yunnan province, Waipula Village used to be an impoverished area. From 2016, with the involvement of many actors including the United Nations, it turned into a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demonstration project in the People’s Republic in China. Due to concerted and gender-responsive local action, the village has undergone a significant transformation. Today it represents a remarkable case of women-led eco-tourism industry. Employment opportunities have been offered to returning migrant workers, and a sense of community revitalized. Poverty was reduced by supporting women’s entrepreneurship. The village’s administrative committee includes three women among its seven members, a significant change from the recent past.

Georgia

Women’s Information Center

Since its inception in 2000, the Women’s Information Center or WIC (NGO) consistently championed gender equality, women’s empowerment, and women’s rights in Georgia. The organization is dedicated to empowering women economically and politically, by offering support, resources, and opportunities for women. The organization is also an active advocate for an inclusive and just environment, by raising awareness in society on women’s rights and gender equality. With a vast network, diverse initiatives, and commitment, WIC significantly contributed to a positive societal change in the country.

Kazakhstan

JSC “Housing Construction Savings Bank “Otbasy Bank”

JSC “Otbasy Bank” offers credits for housing construction. With assistance from the Asian Development Bank, the Otbasy Bank, introduced and has been successfully implementing the Umai mortgage program for women, which helps them to gain access to affordable housing. Women’s targeted mortgage is the first of its kind in Asia. Since the start of the project, more than 3,300 women in Kazakhstan has become owners of their houses. The Bank also promotes gender equality in the country through its own institutional mechanisms and public action.

Kyrgyzstan

National Federation of Female Communities of Kyrgyzstan

The NFFCK (NGO) is unique for the context of Central Asia – it is the only national organization for rural girls. Its origins go more than twenty years back when five teenage girls in an isolated high-mountain village Kerben decided to dedicate themselves to fight the forms of gender-based violence that are specific for the country: child marriage and bride kidnapping. All five were victims of various forms of violence themselves. To support girls’ leadership, the organization established a network of girls across the country. Girls are also represented in the organization’s Board and governance structures to participate in strategic decision-making. The NFFCK also engages in advocacy that aims to educate the public and decision- makers and change harmful practices in the country.

Mongolia

National Center Against Violence

The National Center against Violence (NGO) has been active in Mongolia since 1995. With 16 branches throughout the country, the organization runs 5 shelters for victims of violence in Mongolia. The organization provided significant contribution to creating a system of comprehensive protection for victims of violence; developing effective policy frameworks; building national capacities and raising public awareness on gender equality and human rights.

Pakistan

Ms. Fauzia Viqar

Fauzia Viqar’s work over the past two decades as a defender and an advocate for women’s rights and empowerment has earned her national and international recognition. She has been working both with the government and civil society in Pakistan and internationally, to promote women’s rights and women’s empowerment. She led large organizations and programs to counter discrimination and violence against women in private and public spheres including at the grass roots in Pakistan.

Tajikistan

Ms. Manzura Asadova

In the past, Manzura Asadova used to teach at medical college but now she is focused on her small family farm located in Kulyab. The farm provides jobs for more than 20 women, but additionally, Mansura engages in activism to support women and girls from vulnerable families in rural areas. For this reason, she has set up Nisojon (a non-government organization). Manzura is an example of grass roots rural woman who works hard to bring positive change in her local community.

Uzbekistan

“Nemolchi” Media Project

“Nemolchi” means “Don’t stay silent”. Started in 2017 to raise public awareness on violence against women in Uzbekistan, the project transformed into a movement that promotes women’s rights and helps to change public attitudes that view violence against women as a taboo. Advocacy led by Nemolchi.uz contributed to wider recognition of the issue in society and to policy changes in legislation.

Turkmenistan

Central Council of the Women’s Union of Turkmenistan

Established in 1992, the Central Council of the Women’s Union of Turkmenistan unites more than five thousand grass-roots organizations with more than 880,000 women of various professions and age throughout the country. For more than 30 years, the Central Council has been persistently working to increase women’s representation in public life, providing them with support for their professional growth.

Regional category

Wonder Women

Wonder Women is an international network of young, motivated women committed to gender equality operating in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan. Initiated in Kazakhstan, the network provides a platform for its members for awareness-raising and peer-learning. The Wonder Women community supports young women in corporate business, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and entrepreneurship. Through mentorship and advocacy, the network combats gender-based stereotypes and violence against women and promotes women’s rights.