This year’s International Women’s Day is celebrated under the theme “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”, and underlines the importance of ensuring equality, dignity, economic and social liberty for women and girls.

On this important day UNDP, supported by the UN Information Centre, is holding a charity bazaar that displays crafts produced by members of the clubs for people with disabilities (PWDs) supported by ACCESS (Accessibility, Civic Consciousness, Employment and Social Support for People with Disabilities), a UNDP project that is working closely with the Ministry of Labour in Uzbekistan. The event has been organized to raise public visibility around the work of women with disabilities, who represent one of the most vulnerable social groups and to help them generate additional income.

This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration that has become an important milestone in influencing national policies to ensure equality and opportunity for women all over the world.

The National Association of Women with Disabilities ‘Zukhra-Ziyo’, and three other NGO clubs of people with disabilities: ‘Millennium’, ‘Opa-singillar’ and ‘Istiqbol’ are social networks designed to help address employment issues for people with disabilities, and also support their social integration, and develop leadership skills through job training, encouraging small business initiatives and providing consultative and legal services.

The UN emphasizes gender equality as one of its key priorities and this is reflected in all of its interventions. UNDP has been cooperating with the Women’s Committee in Uzbekistan to develop capacities of national institutions, civil society and mass media in reducing the gender gaps and integrating the principles of CEDAW (UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) into national legislation.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Ms. Anita Nirody, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative said: “On this day, celebrated worldwide to enhance public dialogue and action around the issues of women’s rights, we want to highlight the importance of supporting the most vulnerable, such as women living in rural areas, migrant workers and women with disabilities. Through the new UN Development Assistance Framework for 2010-2015 signed with the Government of Uzbekistan, we stand ready to continue supporting this country in ensuring equality of rights and opportunities for women and girls and in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.”