From June 3 to 7, the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) organised a study visit to Italy for the employees of the state agencies of Uzbekistan, working on the topic of gender equality and gender balance within their respective agencies.

During this programme activity participants gained a comprehensive understanding of Italy's strategies, policies, and initiatives pertaining to gender balance within state institutions, as well as familiarising themselves with the work conducted by the civil society organisations.

It is worth noting that the insights gained during the visit have facilitated the identification of best practices employed by Italy in promoting gender balance, which can be adapted and implemented in the context of Uzbekistan. This, in turn, makes the participants better equipped to contribute to the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies aimed at promoting gender balance within the Uzbek state institutions.

This activity was organised in the framework of the Programme’s Component 4, “Improvement of Cross-Border Cooperation”, and is aimed at improving living conditions in border areas through local economic development, with a focus on human rights, gender equality and vulnerable groups.