UNDP Uzbekistan

“Inclusive Employment and Social Partnership” project (IESP) organized a three-day training for journalists on “Proper media coverage of social partnership in employment of socially vulnerable groups”. The training was conducted in support with UN Information Office at the premises of the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan in Tashkent and 28 journalists from national and regional TV and radio, print and electronic media attended it.

The project pays special attention to increasing public awareness of employment issues of persons with disabilities and vulnerable women. Increasing employment among persons with disabilities and women depends, among others, on mass media awareness, skills of non-stereotypical, non-discriminatory and correct coverage of principles, rules, and government programs in creation of jobs.

To achieve this goal the project has identified journalists and mass media representatives as one of its targeted groups. The project works with journalists and focuses its activities on the issues of employment of women and people with disabilities through social partnership. The training was aimed at increasing knowledge and competence of journalists in preparation of media products on social partnership in the area of employment support of socially vulnerable groups within implementation of the State program "Year of the Family".

The training was conducted by Ms Yokuthon Mamatova, leading expert in journalism (PhD, Head of Department in the Faculty of Journalism of the National University) and Ms Nigar Gapparova, women's rights expert (Chairperson of NGO "Faol"). During the training the following topics were covered:

1.       Legislative framework of labor rights and guarantees;

2.       Fundamental international principles of non-discrimination in employment and labor rights;

3.       Additional measures to ensure employment of vulnerable groups;

4.       Proper media coverage of the issues of employment support of vulnerable groups.

Abdugofur Mamatov,  «Uzbekistan» TV channel. The three-day seminar organized by IESP Project, has shown importance of social partnership in employment of vulnerable women and PWDs, which, in my opinion, is aside from media's attention. During the practical exercises and case studies, we have learned a lot about what we can achieve in area of employment PWDs and vulnerable women through co-operation with NGOs. I ’ve learnt a lot of new things about issues related to social protection and the activities of civil society institutions in this process.  Actually, during the training I felt that I didn’t pay enough attention to this subject in my daily work as journalist. I am sure all participants realized that the «small» issues are very important and useful, and might contribute to the development of society.

Mahbuba Batyrbekova, «Tashkent» TV channel. With excellent guidance of the trainers over three days, we had opportunity to look at the issues of social partnership in a different way. The most important thing for me is that the training wasn’t some kind of a boring lecture, but interactive seminar. I think that such training should be conducted for editors and media executives as well, because they determine the editorial policy. I'm pretty sure that such training would be useful for them. No any doubt that from now on, in many newspapers a lot of articles will be published about social partnership.

The contest will be announced in mid of April. The winners will be announced in the Day of Press and Mass Media on 27 June and will be awarded with prizes from the Project.