OSCE supports stronger governance for women's labor migration in Uzbekistan
When women who have worked abroad return home, they bring not only financial support but also new skills, unique perspectives, and untapped potential to the Uzbek economy. But how can we ensure that they have all the tools and support they need to succeed upon their return?
OSCE supports more effective management of women’s labor migration in Uzbekistan
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — When women who have worked abroad return to their homeland, they bring not only financial support, but also new skills, unique perspectives and untapped potential to the Uzbek economy. But how can we ensure that they have all the necessary tools and support to succeed upon their return?
To address these issues, the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, together with the Committee on Family and Women and national partners involved in labor migration management, organized a workshop in Tashkent. The workshop discussed the experiences of women labor migrants, identified existing problems and explored practical measures to strengthen their economic reintegration.
While migration offers life-changing opportunities, for women this path often comes with its own challenges, from finding a place in local labor markets to accessing financial resources upon return.
Participants drew on the project’s findings and the real-world experience of state and international organizations working with women before and after their return to their homeland.
Umida Abdullayeva, First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Family and Women of Uzbekistan, said: “Uzbekistan is implementing systematic work to support migrant families and provide them with comprehensive assistance. Together with the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, we are implementing a cascade training program aimed at the economic reintegration of returnee women. We are training trainers who will help them master in-demand professions, IT technologies, and financial literacy.”
The seminar provided a platform for government agencies and international organizations to exchange experiences, discuss pressing issues, and identify practical, gender-sensitive approaches to improving labor migration management and supporting women's economic reintegration.
Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, emphasized the important role of multilateral cooperation in creating safe, inclusive migration mechanisms that empower women: "Effective and gender-sensitive labor migration management is about creating conditions for women to return home with confidence, apply the skills and experience they have acquired abroad, and make a full contribution to the economic and social development of Uzbekistan."
The event also included a high-level panel discussion with the participation of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, the Committee on Family and Women, the Agency for External Labor Migration, the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment, and the International Organization for Migration. Participants discussed issues of strengthening institutional cooperation and improving the quality of services to support migrant women at all stages of the migration cycle.
The seminar is being held within the framework of the two-year project of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan "Effective Management of Women's Labor Migration and Support for the Economic Empowerment of Returning Women". The project will assist national partners in strengthening the governance of labor migration from a gender perspective, strengthening institutional cooperation, and expanding opportunities for the sustainable economic reintegration of returning women. The project is funded by Germany, Norway, Turkey, and the Republic of Korea.