Launch of the Joint National Media Campaign on Gender Helps Raising Public Awareness on Important Social Issues in Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN – On 3 March 2009, Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, conduct an official launch event of the Media Campaign entitled “Woman. Born to be Happy”. This Media Campaign is intended to further promote gender equality principles in all spheres of life and reinforces the idea of importance of equal opportunities for all.

Representatives of Government organizations, UN agencies, other international organizations, private sector, NGO as well as mass media are invited to attend the launch event that consists of a number of presentations and demonstration of TV Public Service Announcements (PSAs) developed in the framework of the Campaign.

In addition, the participants will receive the Media Campaign information kits that include all audio-visual and print materials supporting the Campaign, to further disseminate them among their colleagues and target audiences.

This Media Campaign targets various population groups through a series of TV and radio PSAs, posters and leaflets on such topics as equal access to education and profession, participation in decision-making, shared parenting and family relations, human trafficking and abuse prevention, combating discrimination and other critical issues. The Campaign organizers were able to create an inspiring image of the modern woman of Uzbekistan and the family of the 21^st century.

Important concept of the Campaign and its messages were supported by a number of renowned public figures of the country including Sevara Nazarkhan, famous singer, songwriter and musician who helped disseminating the Media Campaign messages across to a wide range of public.

“Empowering women is an indispensable tool for advancing development and reducing poverty. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and to improved prospects for the next generation. The importance of gender equality is underscored by its inclusion as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals.” - commented Ms. Anita Nirody, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan. “Building on the success of our previous projects as well as this Media Campaign, we hope to continue working in partnership with our key counterparts and, importantly, mass media to further advance the cause and raise public awareness on gender issues.”