Uzbekistan: equal opportunities are a key element of social justice

In the modern world, the issue of gender equality is becoming increasingly relevant and an integral element of social development. It concerns all spheres of life - from economics and politics to education and healthcare.

Large-scale work is being carried out in Uzbekistan in this direction. In particular, within the framework of the Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030", extensive measures are being implemented to increase the activity of women, protect motherhood and childhood, assert gender equality, and ensure the rights and interests of women. 
Special attention is paid to improving national legislation based on international standards in the field of gender equality. In recent years, more than 40 legislative acts and important conceptual documents related to the industry have been adopted. As part of the implementation of these documents, important measures are being taken to create equal rights and opportunities for women and men, strengthen the role of women in state and public administration, create the necessary conditions for their education and vocational training, ensure employment, create decent working conditions, as well as increase their activity in economic life and protect them from various kinds of harassment and violence. 
Currently, the share of women employed in the field of health and education is 77 percent, in the economy and industry - 46, about two thousand compatriots work in senior positions in government and public organizations. 
As a result of the expansion of women's education opportunities, the number of women enrolled in higher education institutions has increased sixfold. 
In addition, the Electoral Code of Uzbekistan stipulates that the number of women should be at least 40 percent of candidates for deputies, or at least two out of every five candidates. Currently, their share in public administration has increased from 27 percent (in 2017) to 35. 
Significant results have also been achieved in expanding women's economic opportunities and developing women's entrepreneurship. Over the past five years, the number of businesswomen in Uzbekistan has doubled. Thus, the number of businesswomen who have opened their own business has exceeded 205 thousand. Almost 200 thousand are trained in various professions and entrepreneurship. More than 400 thousand were provided with jobs. 
In addition, girls from low-income families are accepted for training under additional government grants. Preferential educational loans are provided for them, covering the costs of paying for a contract for those in need of social protection. 
The women of our country are also making great strides in science. So, over the past seven years, 5,247 women have received academic titles. Girls also make up 47 percent of all participants in the One Million Programmers project.
"Despite the difficulties, we are finding additional opportunities, creating conditions for the development of social spheres, realizing the potential of women and girls, and we will definitely continue this work. After all, the education of women, including girls, their higher education, and the acquisition of a profession will serve for the happiness of the family, the development of children, and the prosperity of society as a whole," President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in a festive greeting on International Women's Day on March 7, 2024. The Head of State highlighted the tasks aimed at strengthening women's health, ensuring their employment, developing women's entrepreneurship and strengthening social protection provided for in the State Program for the implementation of the Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030" in the "Year of Youth and Business Support". 
In this direction, it is planned to create a special commission headed by the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which will work in each region until March 8 next year. On the basis of a completely new system and approaches, it is planned to organize training for women in professions, ensure their employment and attract them to entrepreneurship. 
The khokims of regions, districts, cities, deputy khokims for women's affairs, as well as active women, together with the commission, will be responsible for the employment of almost 580 thousand unemployed women in 9442 mahallas during the year. 
The Association of Mahallas of Uzbekistan and its regional structures, activists in the "Mahalla seven" should become assistants to women, close advisers on family issues. 
Motherhood and child rearing is a great mission. The population of our country increases by almost 900 thousand people every year. It is a sacred duty to educate them as physically and spiritually developed individuals. 
"From now on, we must conduct spiritual and educational work in a completely new way. Guided by the principle "Humanism is our goal, enlightenment is our strength", we must begin this important work primarily with the family, the mahalla. As the holy hadith says, "there is no better legacy than a wonderful upbringing." It is in such matters that the responsibility of our dear women, the mothers who bless us, is clearly manifested," the President stressed. 
The attention paid to women in our country is recognized internationally. For example, the World Bank has published its annual report "Women, Business and the Law", which assesses global progress towards gender equality in the legal field. The document contains an index assessing the situation of women in 190 countries according to ten indicators: security, freedom of movement, employment, wages, marriage, parenthood, child care, entrepreneurship, property management and pension provision. 
The report evaluates the relevant changes in the laws of the countries in the period from October 1, 2022 to October 1, 2023. During this period of time, only 18 States, or less than ten percent of those assessed in the index, implemented legal reforms that improved the status of women within the framework of the above-mentioned indicators. 
Uzbekistan, along with Jordan, Malaysia, Sierra Leone and Togo, entered the top five countries that have achieved the greatest success. Since October 2022, four important legal reforms have been implemented in the republic, which have improved the situation of women. 
In particular, the reforms had a positive impact on improving the country's position within the framework of two key indicators - "wages" and "marriage", which led to an increase in Uzbekistan's rating by 11.9 points, and now it is 82.5 points out of 100 possible. Our country scored the same number of points as Singapore, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and also demonstrated the best results in Central Asia. 
Uzbekistan has adopted norms guaranteeing women equal pay with men for work of equal value. Restrictions on the employment of women in certain industries have been lifted. In October 2022, the Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted in a new edition, which includes provisions that comply with international standards and conventions in the field of labor rights protection. In April 2023, amendments were made to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility of Uzbekistan aimed at combating domestic violence, including physical, psychological and economic violence in family relations. Criminal liability for these types of crimes has been established. 
Gender equality brings many specific benefits. First, it promotes economic growth. After all, when women have equal opportunities in education and employment, they can make a greater contribution to the economy. Increasing women's participation in the labor market increases productivity and innovation, stimulates entrepreneurship and promotes business development, reduces economic inequality and contributes to the sustainable development of society. Secondly, it is a demographic dividend. There are studies that have shown that the higher the level of gender equality in a country, the higher the birth rate. And the average life expectancy is also increasing. Thirdly, the quality of life and the level of happiness increase. In a situation where men and women have equal opportunities and access to resources, they can develop their potential and achieve goals. As a result, it helps to increase their self-esteem, happiness and well-being. In addition, gender equality leads to a reduction in violence. In relation to women and children and in general, which creates a safe environment for everyone. Gender equality is a key element of sustainable development and social progress. Creating a more just and equitable world requires the elimination of all forms of discrimination

Leila Burkhanova,
Professor at Tashkent State
University of Law (TSYUU).