Second Women's Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization started May 15 in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan). The event is aimed at comprehensive discussion and consideration of a joint vision of increasing women's participation and introducing a gender dimension into the SCO strategy and projects, promoting effective cooperation between the member countries in women's political and economic empowerment, as well as creating regional cooperation networks.

Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan Gulshara Abdykalikova spoke at the opening ceremony. In her speech, she noted that in Kazakhstan in the context of achieving the strategic goal set by the First President of Kazakhstan – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev to become one of 30 developed countries by 2050, the Third Modernization Program, Digital Kazakhstan, Industry 4.0 are being implemented. Events are held against the backdrop of global risks: economic vulnerability, geopolitical tensions, social, political and technological instability, the problems of the surrounding world. In this work, the female community is becoming one of the main drivers.

“We give priority attention to strengthening traditional family values ​​and supporting the institution of the family. Built a holistic system of social support for women and families with children. Over the past 10 years, budget expenditures for these goals have increased by more than five times,” said Abdykalikova.

The forum included five panel sessions: “Gender Aspects of Regional Cooperation of the SCO Member States,” “Participation of Women in Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development of the Region,” “Investments in Health and Education: Opportunities for Regional Cooperation,” “Innovations and the Digitalization Era in Equal Opportunities,” “Regional Challenges and Opportunities for the Advancement of Women and Girls,” during which the Vice Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Madina Zhunusbekova, Deputy Chair of Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Lyazzat Ramazanova, and Head of the Human Reproduction Clinic Ecomed Saltanat Baikoshkarova.

Following the forum, it is planned to adopt a resolution.