Within its joint project “Male involvement in Reproductive Health and Rights”, UNFPA, together with UARH, conducted a series of Training of Trainers, and a cascade of information sessions in Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Surkhandarya and Samarkand regions. In all, 40 volunteer trainers were prepared who followed up with more than 40 informational sessions held during September-October 2010.

Training covered the issues of reproductive health, reproductive rights, family planning, prevention of HIV/AIDS, and gender equality. UNFPA supported intensive workshops for selected trainers where they learned to plan, design and deliver high quality information sessions on the subject in the regions of Uzbekistan. Meetings in Khorezm and Surkhandarya regions targeted military officers, whereas in Samarkand and Nukus trainings were held for community leaders – makhalla councils and advisers.

At a round-table held in UNFPA office on 23 November 2010, UARH coordinators provided the summary of results and shared the lessons learned with colleagues from UN Agencies and other partners, such as GTZ and Uzbek Institute for Civil Society Study.

“This was a unique initiative targeting men, whose role in promoting healthy families and teaching younger generation is often neglected”, said Rakhima Nazarova, UARH Head. “The training would have been impossible without strong support from UNFPA, and our national partners, including local khokimiyats, Women’s Committee, Makhallya Foundation, and many others”, she added.

UNFPA Assistant Representative, Fuad Aliev, mentioned: “Though relatively small in scale, these interventions contribute to raising general awareness of Uzbekistan’s population in the issues of reproductive health. We hope to continue working in this direction, in close cooperation with our partners”

UNFPA works in Uzbekistan since 1993. In line with its Country Programme for 2010-2015, the organization places great focus on educating various target groups on the issues of reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and gender equality.