Women journalists from across Central Asia strengthen regional cooperation in Tashkent

More than 100 journalists and other media professionals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Tashkent on 14-15 September for the Second Central Asian Conference of Women Media Professionals.

The two-day conference focuses on practical challenges facing women journalists, including online harassment, cyberstalking, the exposure of private information, threats against family members and attempts to damage journalists’ reputations. Participants also discussed the “glass ceiling” that can limit women’s access to senior editorial and management positions, as well as newsroom management and ways to strengthen cooperation among women media professionals across the region.

Speaking at the opening, Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, stressed that the safety of journalists is closely linked to media freedom.

“Women journalists face particular risks. Online harassment can quickly become personal – from cyberstalking and the exposure of private information to threats against family members and attempts to damage a journalist’s reputation. No single country can address these challenges alone. Digital threats cross borders in seconds, and our cooperation should do the same. We are stronger when we share our experience, support each other and stand together.”

Paloma Madrigal, Associate Project Officer from the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, also highlighted the importance of protecting women journalists from harassment, intimidation and gender-based violence.

“Silencing women journalists limits plurality and weakens democracy. Targeted by gender-based violence, harassment and intimidation, women journalists are increasingly pushed out of public debate; depriving society of diverse voices, perspectives and experiences that are essential to a free and pluralistic media environment.”

A key expected outcome of the conference is the finalization and signing of the Unified Regional Guidelines on Gender-Sensitive Journalism, which will provide a practical basis for newsrooms across Central Asia to strengthen gender-sensitive reporting.

The conference also strengthens the regional network of women media professionals established in 2024. Participants discussed how to keep the network active beyond the conference by sharing experience, building professional contacts and supporting each other across borders.

The conference was organized by the Modern Journalism Development Center (MJDC) of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the National Coalition of Women Journalists of Tajikistan, the Content Production Centre for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, and the Public Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media of Uzbekistan. The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, UNESCO, the EU Delegation and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, together with other partners, supported the organization of the conference.