Domestic violence is considered a crime in Uzbekistan

In modern society, issues of equality and security for women have become an integral part both on an international scale and at the level of each State. Violence against women is one of the most serious problems that exists in various forms in many cultures and societies. Therefore, the fight against this evil is necessary and requires permanent discussion and actions of all participants in society.

According to the UN, violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread and widespread human rights violations. It is estimated that 736 million women worldwide (almost one in three) have been physically abused by a partner or a stranger at least once in their lives. This figure does not include harassment. The level of depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancy is higher in women who have been subjected to violence, compared with those who have not been subjected to violence.
This problem is becoming more common in a variety of contexts, including the workplace and the Internet environment. The COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts and climate change have exacerbated the risks of violence and created new threats, increasing the vulnerability of women and girls.
The solution to this problem lies in a robust response, including investment in prevention activities. However, it is alarming that we still have scant data on the extent to which States commit themselves to countering violence against women and girls. According to the UN, only five percent of state aid is directed to combating violence against women and girls, and less than 0.2 percent is directed to preventing it.
Violence against women and girls undermines peace and stability in families and communities. This entails huge costs for society in the areas of health, education, social protection, justice and productivity, not allowing the economy to fully realize its potential.
Every year on November 25, the world celebrates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The date was proclaimed by a resolution of the UN General Assembly on December 17, 1999. 
Less than 40% of women who have been subjected to violence seek some kind of help. In most cases, they are limited to contacts with friends and relatives, and only a few (less than ten percent) go to the police.
This year, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is launching the campaign "16 Days of Active Action against Gender-based violence", which will end on December 10 - International Human Rights Day. It aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calls for global action to raise awareness, promote the protection of rights and create opportunities to discuss problems and solutions. 
In 2023, the campaign calls for the mobilization of the entire society to become activists in the prevention of violence against women, show solidarity with women's rights activists and support feminist movements around the world, resist the rollback of women's rights and call for a world free of violence.
This year, the campaign is being carried out under the slogan #NoExcuse, calling for urgent investment in measures to prevent violence against women and girls.
Violence manifests itself in physical and psychological forms, including by a partner (beating, psychological violence, murder); harassment (forced marriages, street harassment, harassment, including on the Internet); human trafficking; child marriages.
The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, adopted in 1993, defines the term "violence against women" as follows: "any act of violence committed on the basis of sexual characteristics that causes or may cause physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, as well as threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation freedom, whether in public or private life."
Adverse psychological and reproductive health consequences caused by violence affect women at all stages of their lives. For example, the restriction of education for girls at an early age is not only a major obstacle to universal education and the realization of the right to education, but also restricts access to higher education and the labor market in the future.
Despite the fact that gender-based violence has no boundaries, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable. For example, young girls and older women, migrants and refugees, representatives of indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities, women and girls living with HIV or disabilities, as well as people in humanitarian crises.
Violence against women is an obstacle to progress in equality, development and peace, as well as ensuring the rights of women and girls. The main principle of the Sustainable Development Goals "Leave no one behind" cannot be achieved without the elimination of violence against women.
Until 2018, there was not even the term "domestic violence" in the Criminal and Administrative Codes of Uzbekistan. Domestic violence was not considered an offense and there was no punishment for it. For many years, this problem did not seem to exist in the republic at all, they preferred not to talk about it.
Now everything has changed: a gender policy is being successfully implemented in Uzbekistan and women's rights are being protected. Over the past years, the Republic has joined 80 major international human rights instruments, including the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Thus, our country has declared its political will to follow international standards in the field of human rights.
The Law "On the Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence" adopted in September 2019 creates a legal basis for providing victims with protection from the internal affairs bodies, and also allows to systematize the process of providing them with various kinds of assistance from the state. Moreover, the document not only strengthened the position of women in society, but also made it possible to promote gender equality issues more confidently.
At a meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Fergana in July 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced statistics: in the first half of 2023, about 20 thousand cases of domestic violence against girls and women were registered in Uzbekistan. The Head of State also said that about 2,700 women have suffered from various crimes. 
The President instructed to create in each district, within the framework of the National Social Protection Agency, social service centers operating on the principle of one window, mobile groups of psychologists, lawyers and social workers, as well as call centers for social support of women victims of violence.
In seven months of 2023, 21,871 protective orders were issued in Uzbekistan to women who suffered from pressure and violence. Of the registered cases, 18,526 (84.7 percent) occurred in families.
Despite the fact that the indicator has decreased compared to the same period last year, recent cases of domestic violence require increased work on this issue, the interaction of relevant state organizations and civil society institutions.
In 9362 cases, when protective orders were issued, families reconciled, in 11 350 cases conflicts were eliminated. According to 5495 issued warrants, administrative or criminal liability has been established and violated women's rights have been restored.
Domestic violence is considered a crime in Uzbekistan. The adopted Law "On the Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence" has historical significance, it is based on national and moral values.
Now women and children are protected by the legislation of Uzbekistan. In particular, the level of public danger of sexually motivated crimes has been increased by an order of magnitude, previously considered non-serious crimes have been included in the category of serious, and serious ones - in the category of especially serious crimes. Separate administrative and criminal responsibility for family (domestic) violence and administrative responsibility for harassment have been established.
A unified register of persons who have committed crimes dangerous to the life, health or morals of children is also being created. Persons included in this list are prohibited from working in the fields of education and upbringing, children's healthcare, sports and creative organizations, as well as engaging in activities involving direct work with children.
In addition, the law recognizes gender-based violence as a separate type of criminal offense and prescribes specific measures to protect the rights and interests of victims. In particular, the Government guarantees the provision of free legal, economic, social, psychological, medical and other assistance to women and girls affected by violence.
In order to implement this law, the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers "On measures to improve the system of protection of women from harassment and violence" dated January 4, 2020 approved a number of documents necessary to ensure the safety of women. In particular, the procedure for obtaining a protective order providing state protection to victims of harassment and violence has been developed.
In December 2021, the Law "On Amendments and Additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the adoption of additional measures to guarantee the rights of women in difficult social situations" was adopted. 
In accordance with the amendments, the Law "On the Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence" has been amended, according to which labor authorities are instructed to promote employment and vocational guidance for women faced with family problems and the use of violence. The changes also affected the health authorities, which should provide primary medical care, conduct medical examinations of victims and their children, as well as treat them free of charge.