The Center for Nonproliferation and Export Control took part in the Inaugural Meeting of the Central Asian Women in Nuclear Network, which took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Rakhat Palace Hotel from 16th to 19th of October, 2023,
The meeting was dedicated to the opening of the Central Asian Network of Women in the Nuclear Field and was organized by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Research with the support of the International Science and Technology Center.
The network was created through cooperation between the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Research, CBRN Security Agency and WiN (Tajikistan) with support from the US National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) “Women’s Nuclear Security Initiative” and the US Los Alamos National Laboratory.
CANWN is intended to become a regional informal professional network to improve the status of women in their work in nuclear, radiation and other fields related to the safety, security and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Its mission is to connect, support and empower women in the fields of nuclear energy, nuclear, radiological and, eventually, chemical and biological safety. Interdisciplinary in nature, the network brings together women and men, representatives of industry, medicine, civil society, scientific network, government agencies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as other countries.
At this meeting, in addition to the inauguration, the vision (concept), mission and structure of the Network were discussed.
The meeting agenda also included presentations from regional and international experts on their work in the field of CBRN security and efforts to achieve gender parity and enhance women’s leadership in the nuclear field and related industries.
Our Center for Nonproliferation and Export Control joined in the launch of this exciting initiative and, represented by Executive Director Taalaibek Bektashev, gave a presentation on some of the Center’s activities in gender equality issues.
In addition, the Center for Nonproliferation and Export Control on behalf of the Kyrgyz delegation made a number of proposals on the Concept of the Network, and also proposed that the Network’s activities move from declarativeness and formality to practical steps:
– Conduct an assessment of the situation in the field of gender equality and inclusion in the field of CBRN security;
– Develop and approve a Regional (national) Action Plan, Road Map or Action Program to achieve CANWN goals (including gender balance and women’s inclusion, calendar Action Plan, Performance Indicators).
Based on the results of the presentation of the Center, at the unanimous request of all participants, the Head of the Center for Nonproliferation and Export Control, Taalaibek Bektashev, was elected as the contact person from the Kyrgyz side of this Regional Network.
Network Links:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558462207097
https://x.com/NetworkWinca
https://www.youtube.com/@Wincanetwork
