The Committee experts presented their findings and recommendations with respect to the participation of women in the economy, education and health sectors. The problem of violence against women and access to education for girls was also discussed. Governmental officials and representatives of civil society and media attended the event.

"The State Programme on ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men launched in 2001 will come to an end in 2010, and the OSCE Office hopes that the recommendations of the experts presented here will be taken into account by the Government when drafting the Programme for the next period," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, the Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

"In Tajikistan we are doing a lot in order to combat gender problems and discrimination against women and assuring that women and men have equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities in all spheres of life," said Khairinisso Yusufi, Chairperson of the National Committee of Women and Family Affairs.

The OSCE Office in Tajikistan has been working closely with national bodies and institutions to enhance the capacity of their staff working in education, economy and health sectors and improve the implementation of state policies and programmes on gender equality.