Second Central Asian Women Media Professionals Conference Held in Tashkent

The second Central Asian International Conference of Women Media Professionals was held in Tashkent on Sept. 14-15, bringing together more than 100 journalists, editors, media managers and bloggers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The event was organized by the Media Development Center of Uzbekistan (MJDC). National partners included the Center for Media Content Production under the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan and the Public Foundation for the Development and Support of National Mass Media. The National Coalition of Women Journalists of Tajikistan was the key regional partner. The event was supported by the European Union, the OSCE, UNESCO, the Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan and the Creative Industries Park of Kyrgyzstan. Artel Electronics was the commercial partner.

The first day focused on digital security, legal protection for media outlets and the sustainability of media businesses. The second day featured practical sessions focused on newsroom development. The workshop “Sustainable Newsroom Management: Business Models and Leadership in Crisis” was led by Aisana Ashim of Kazakhstan and Nurzhamal Dzhanibekova of Kyrgyzstan, who shared their experience in managing newsrooms, building sustainable teams and diversifying revenue sources. Ashim, who founded her media outlet at the age of 25, spoke about building a sustainable business model, while Dzhanibekova, co-founder of the Kyrgyz media outlet Bashta, discussed the model underpinning her newsroom’s operations.

At the end of the conference, newsroom leaders and the Governing Council of the Coalition of Women Journalists of Central Asia signed a Unified Regional Guide on Gender-Sensitive Journalism. The guide sets out ethical and professional standards that newsrooms across the region can use in their work. Participants worked in groups on the text during the second day.

“It is important today to take the next step — to turn regional cooperation into a functioning system of professional ties and mutual support,” MJDC Director Saida Sulaimanova said at the opening.

The Coalition of Women Journalists of Central Asia was established in 2024 following the first conference, held in Bishkek. At the second conference in Tashkent, participants discussed the coalition’s work plan for 2026-2029 and future joint projects.

Organizers also announced the launch of the Women Media Awards Central Asia regional competition. The award is intended for women media professionals in Central Asia and recognizes professional achievements, leadership and contributions to the development of the region’s media sector.