INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN TAJIKISTAN

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000161 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN; S/WE FOR SASHA MEHRA AND GERDA LANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KWMN TI SUBJECT: INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN TAJIKISTAN REF: STATE 00202341 ¶1. In response to reftel, Post submits the following five names of the most influential women in Tajikistan. -- Khairinisso MAVLONOVA Title: Depuity Prime Minister Organization: Government of the Republic of Tajikistan In a country with one female minister and where most women are relegated to deputy minister positions, Mavlonova sits in the highest government position attained by a woman. She holds two graduate degrees and studied at the Russian Academy of Civil Service. A close advisor to the president, she is often praised for her ability to speak and connect with the public. -- Zebunisso RUSTAMOVA Title: Director Organization: Center of Support for Women and Children An Olympic medalist in archery, Rustamova is well-known and respected throughout Tajikistan. She heads one of the most active and well-regarded NGOs in the Sughd Region of northern Tajikistan, advocating for women and children's rights and has a strong network with civil society and business leaders. -- Matluba ULJABAEVA Title: Deputy Director Organization: Indigo Telecommunications Company Uljabaeva is deputy director of one of the leading telecommunications companies in Tajikistan and is also the Executive Director of the Board of Heads of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Association (SMEA). She was instrumental in organizing several conferences for the business community and provided significant input into Tajikistan's Law on Small and Medium enterprises. -- Gulchehra SHARIPOVA Title: First Deputy Minister Organization: Ministry of Justice Sharipova headed President's Administration's Department on Constitutional Guarantees of the Rights of the Citizens, responsible for human rights issues. Well-known among the international community, she also enjoys a good reputation among Tajiks as a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer. -- Viloyat MIRZOEVA Title: Director Organization: Gender and Development After working for the UNICEF and UNIFEM offices in Dushanbe, Mirzoeva set out to start her own local NGO, "Gender and Development." Mirzoeva was highly praised by President Rahmonov and received a state award for her NGO's work. ¶2. Due to an undeveloped telephone infrastructure and constantly changing exchanges and prefixes, Post would be happy to facilitate contact for Department offices with any of these women. Post's officer responsible for following women's issue is Uyen Tang, Political/Economic Officer. Ms. Tang can be contacted at HYPERLINK "mailto:tangut2@state.gov" tangut2@state.gov or +992-37-229-2505. JACOBSON