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WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTRE

The Women's Resource Centre was founded on the initiative of a group of women experts of various specialties in 1995, whose ultimate goals are to make a contribution into creation of sustainable economic and social system and support of democratic transformations in Uzbekistan, education of the public in the sphere of women's rights and impact on the formulation and changes in the goals connected with development and participation in the programmes of development, and to help women to strengthen their economic status and improve living standards.

The work of WRC was supported by women's committees, UN Office in Uzbekistan, international foundations and organizations, such as Novib, Eurasia, Counterpart Consortium, and Charity Corps.

Address:
WRC, 11 Abdulla Kadiri Prospect
Tashkent-700011,The Republic of Uzbekistan
Tel/fax: (3712) 418931,
e-mail: marfua@janus.silk.org

Structure of WRC:

  • The structure is based on democratic principles of management and identification of strategy and decision making;
  • a board consisting of three persons, of whom a chairperson is elected each year, is elected for the period of three years.
    Appearance of like-minded persons enabled WRC to declare about itself and to identify the strategy of its activities for the near and more remote future. These include:
  • a consolidation of the women's independence, use of their spiritual, intellectual and professional potential, encouragement of their active position in public life and a support of initiative;
  • expanding the awareness of women from all strata of society of their role in public, social, economic and political life of the society; their rights and opportunities, the use of which will enable them to reach real equality in all spheres of life, both public, private and family.

WRC believes that the development of the society and realization of rights guaranteed to the women by the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan are equally important for the progress of this state. Upgrading the quality of life of the women and the formation of gender relations are carried out by WRC through independent studies and surveys of women's problems, elucidation of international law concerning women's rights and status, consolidation of independent institutions in the society, support of stable changes in all aspects and at all levels of innovative schemes, methodologies, in public production and social processes.

Activities of WRC are vast and they include:

  • collection of materials and documents on women's problems, compiling bibliographic thematic surveys, information support of projects, conducting independent studies on women's problems;
  • conducting of educational workshops and trainings on women's issues;
  • organization of discussions and conferences on women's issues;
  • work within Network;
  • organization of thematically exhibitions and presentations;
  • aid and assistance to NGOs in the organization of meetings, discussions and workshops.

In the span of four years WRC has achieved the following results:

  • with a support of Novib, while implementing the project 'Organizational Strengthening of WRC', its members have compiled a library and collected periodicals (journals, articles, information issues, and works by NGOs working all over the world;
  • a project "Women of Local Communities" supported by Counterpart Consortium enabled WRC to establish contacts with a wide range of women, who formed target groups for future projects;
  • an educational programme of SIGI (Sisterhood is Global Institute) on women's rights has been translated into Uzbek and Russian, on the basis of which workshops are conducted among women of the communities in Tashkent and Chirchik;
  • a study 'Women's Status in Textile Industry and Medicine in Uzbekistan' has been completed for the UNO University, Helsinki, Finland;
  • two WRC members took part in the World NGO Forum in China;
  • equipment was purchased and trips to international conferences were made with a support of Global Fund for Women;
  • books 'Between the Slogans of Communism and the Laws of Islam by M.Tokhtakhodjaeva and 'Daughters of Amazons: Voices from Central Asia' by Tokhtakhodjaeva and E. Turgumbekova have been published;
  • books of collected articles 'Women of Central Asia' are published on a regular basis;
  • a textbook 'Woman' Society and Law' supported by the Foundation Eurasia is ready for publication.
It is noteworthy that WRC members are experts at ESCAP, UNPFA and UNDP.

On the basis of their vast experience in working on women's issues, WRC develops a multi-sided problem of women's adaptation to new economic conditions and modernization of their way of life, taking into account social, economic, political and family aspects. In the future WRC intends to:
  • continue compiling the library, publishing information bulletin and the book of collected articles;
  • conduct field surveys on the women's status, socio-economic conditions in rural areas, studies on opportunities of income generation among rural women, and organize of round tables;
  • convene educational workshops and meetings at local communities (makhalla) and schools with young women and girls, as well as with representatives of mass media;
  • participate in the work NETWORK with feminist organizations both inside and beyond Uzbekistan;
  • consolidate solidarity with international feminist organizations on the support of women's rights.
Documents were given for registration as an independent, non-governmental organization on 28th February 1995 to the Department of Justice, Tashkent Khokimiat and on July 12th, 1995 the WRC was finally registered as a public society.

Our Aims and Objectives are to:

  • disseminate information;
  • foster enlightenment;
  • support the initiatives of individuals; and
  • provide a forum for cooperation and mutual support.

Our main areas of activity focus on:

  • health,
  • ecology and sustainable development,
  • cultural development,
  • human rights, and
  • the status of women.

Our activities are designed to be culturally enlightening, and are directed at:

  • raising awareness regarding the tremendous problems confronting women;
  • broadening women's own consciousness and awareness of current global trends;
  • promoting women's identity as a social group.
The WRC seeks to collaborate with other women's groups both locally and abroad. It currently has links with the international network of solidarity and support WLUML and with the Network East-West Women. The WRC is working with both networks in two basic areas: communication and information exchange, and common projects and programmes.


Organization Structure

The WRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, a-political, grassroots organization. Its structure is simple, with members electing Chairperson and Auditing commission is responsible for documentation, while other members work on various projects. Decisions are made through consensus and funds are raised through membership fees.

Work so far:
  • Two books about the history and current status of Uzbek and Central Asian women printed in 1995 and 1996;
  • Articles and papers for a UNESCO, ESCAP conferences, WLUML workshops.
  • Study of the status of women working in the textile industry and pharmaceuticals for the UN University in Helsinki, Finland.
  • Projects "Women and Criminal Law" (funding by Eurasia), "Women in mahallah" (funding by Counterpart Consortium).
  • Holding a meeting with women's groups from Central Asia, Pakistan and from women's NGOs in Tashkent.
Activities Planned for 1997:
  • Organizing an information resource Centre, including a library for women (funding by NOVIB);
  • Educational programme for promotion women's rights (funding by Sisterhood is Global Institute.