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