Ms. D. Zakirova has more than 10 years of work experience in International NGO and contributed to the strengthening the role of civil society organizations, good governance and promoting gender equality in Uzbekistan. Under her leadership number of projects aimed at capacity building and empowerment of local CSOs, protecting the economic and social rights of women and preventing Gender-Based Violence were implemented.

Ms. D. Zakirova initiated and developed the small grants program competition for women CSOs to launch social enterprise initiatives and reach financial sustainability. Thanks to this program, 6 local CSOs opened social enterprises and providing social services to vulnerable groups.