OSCE/ODIHR Mission: The results of the gender policy proved to be effective

The mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR) to monitor the early presidential elections in Uzbekistan, summing up the preliminary results of its work, gave a positive assessment of the gender policy pursued by the Government of the country.

It is noted that since 2016, reforms aimed at the active participation of women in the socio-political life of the country have intensified in the country.  
The mission has recorded that the proportion of women in the current Parliament has increased to almost 30%. They hold 47 out of 150 seats in the Legislative Chamber and 21 out of 100 seats in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis. The Speaker of the Senate and the Vice-Speaker of the lower house of Parliament are also women.
 According to the ODIHR observations, women were well represented in the election administration. Although gender issues, as observers specify, were not a priority, however, a woman was represented among the presidential candidates. 
As another positive change, the ODIHR experts noted the legislative requirement introduced in 2021 for political parties that nominated a candidate to submit interim and final reports on election campaign expenses to the CEC. As a result, all four parties submitted interim financial statements within the statutory deadlines. At the same time, two parties that have published reports on their websites stand out in a positive way.