The OSCE empowering women in Central Asia : the cases of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Abstract

The unforeseen independence of the Central Asian republics has had a negative impact on the situation of permanent discrimination women live in. Whereas the Soviet Union defended the advancement of women – in order to diminish the role of Islam in the region and to increase the workforce -, the breakdown of the Soviet system brought about an unquestionable turn back in time. Since then, the gender gap has widened and women have been victims of the stereotypes of an overwhelming male-dominated society in all spheres of life. Democracy promotion is at the heart of the OSCE policies. A full and sustainable democracy requires equal participation and equal opportunities to both men and women. In this context, the OSCE has been contributing to empower women in the region through the implementation of several gender equality programmes. With the purpose of reflecting upon the impact of those programmes on the ground, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will be taken as case-studies. Can a democracy be as much improved in practise as it is in principle due to the promotion of gender equality by an international organisation?