Empowering Voices for Inclusive Development: Strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Uzbekistan focusing on women and youth

AFEW International has commenced the implementation of a project titled “Empowering Voices for Inclusive Development: Strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Uzbekistan, focusing on women and youth.”

Through this project, AFEW and its partners aim to enhance the capacities of 15 local CSOs in Uzbekistan, which are dedicated to assisting people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those affected by HIV, with a particular emphasis on women and youth. The objective is to mitigate stigma and discrimination against individuals with HIV and those affected by it using a unique Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach. 

Why is the project needed?

Women and youth are more exposed to social exclusion, stigma, and discrimination, especially those living with and/or affected by HIV. Uzbekistan has a young population, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has declared the year 2024 as the Year of Support of Youth. Uzbek CSOs struggle with effective mobilization, advocacy, cooperation, and political dialogue.

How will the project achieve its objectives?

Increasing capacities of 15 CSOs in Fergana, Namangan, Samarkand and Tashkent working with vulnerable youth and women, including organisations working with PWH, through: Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), trainings and workshops, mini-grants, policy dialogue with government, and stronger networking and cooperation of civil society in Uzbekistan, leading to empowerment and inclusion of youth and women, as well as gender equality.

Decreasing stigma and discrimination of key populations and vulnerable groups, especially women and youth through: ABCD implemented by CSOs in their communities, sensitization of medical staff, educational manual for teachers, and media awareness campaigns.

Who will be involved in the project?

Key stakeholders include CBOs working with women, and youth with a focus on PWH, but not exclusively. The Target group is Uzbek CSOs working with the final beneficiaries in Fergana, Namangan, Samarkand and  Tashkent. AIDS Center staff will be sensitized through trainings. Ministry of Education will be engaged in trainings for teachers to counteract stigma and discrimination among youth. Government representatives will be engaged in the policy dialogue with capacitated CSOs. The general population will be reached by media awareness campaigns.

Contact Details

Petra Kuipers, Director of Programmes in Central Asia, AFEW International. Work email: petra_kuipers@afew.org. Office phone: +31206381718. Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Ekaterina Nikiforova, Project Officer, AFEW International. Work email: ekaterina_nikiforova@afew.org. Office phone: +31206381718. Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands.