From 27 to 30 September 2022, the Border Management Programme in Central Asia held training for representatives of local authorities coming from the several Tajik border regions working with the border areas population directly, as well as representatives of governmental authorities based in Dushanbe that implement regional policies in the areas of migration, economic development and gender. 

The training focused on unfolding the potential of women living in the border areas for the development of these regions through the lens of the two main elements being their contribution to peace and stability and economic development.

The training contributes to the specific objectives of the BOMCA 10 Component 4 on improvement of cross-border cooperation for better living conditions in border areas through local economic development focusing on human rights, gender equality and support to vulnerable groups. Beneficiaries have received practical knowledge they could use in their daily work based on the best practices presented on the work with women in the border regions in the areas of peacebuilding and local economic development.

During the workshop, experts reassessed needs of beneficiaries working and living in the focus border areas, as well as drew a baseline of the current initiatives involving women in peacebuilding and economic development. They also shared with the participants the good practices of existing programmes involving women in peacebuilding processes, as well as mechanisms supporting female entrepreneurship from the EU and beyond.

As a result of workshop the publication of a Practical Guide to Enhancing the Role of Women in the Development of the Border Regions of Tajikistan and targeted follow-up activities is expected.