The first meeting of the Regional Network of Women in Law Enforcement and Border Agencies in Central Asia marked a significant milestone in the OSCE’s broader mission to empower women in the security sector. By convening representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the OSCE provided a vital platform for women working in law enforcement and border roles to shape a collective vision for their professional development and regional cooperation. The strategic concept developed during the meeting reflects a strong commitment to institutionalising gender-sensitive approaches within the security framework, and it signifies an important step toward greater inclusion and visibility of women in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

A central focus of the event was enhancing women’s participation in security sector governance and operations, particularly through capacity-building exercises aimed at equipping participants with tools to better detect human trafficking at borders. These activities not only underscored the critical contributions women make to regional security but also highlighted the OSCE’s intention to support sustainable reform through gender-aware strategies. By fostering cross-border collaboration and aligning with initiatives such as the “WIN for Women and Men” and ODIHR’s Human Rights, Gender and Security programme, the meeting laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and effective security landscape in Central Asia.

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