The increase in the number of women in the Parliament of Uzbekistan contributes to the overall strengthening of democracy

October 27, 2024 – elections to the Oliy Majlis and local Kengashes of People's Deputies

The upcoming October 27 elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regional, district and city councils of People's Deputies are the most important event in the political life of our country.  The modern electoral system, formed due to the gradual development of electoral legislation over the years of independence, is based on the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which establishes the key principles and legal mechanisms for holding elections. 
In other words, elections play an important role in the implementation of constitutional principles, the implementation of democratic reforms in the country and the strengthening of the role of the Oliy Majlis in the transformation of the state and society.
Gender equality issues are closely intertwined in the processes of political transformation carried out in the country. Women are increasingly taking part in political processes as parliamentary candidates, members and activists of political parties, holding senior positions. In general, women make up between 30 and 55 percent of the total membership of political parties. For example, the Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan "Adolat" is headed by a woman, and the total number of women in the party is 54%. In the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Business People - the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the Milliy Tiklanish Democratic Party, women hold the positions of deputy chairmen of the party. The proportion of women among candidates for deputies of the Legislative Chamber and local authorities is gradually increasing.
In accordance with the current Electoral Code, the number of women must be at least 40 percent of the number of candidates for deputies nominated by a political party in single-mandate constituencies, as well as on the basis of the party's list. 
At the same time, at least two of the five candidates in the sequence on the party's list must be women. These data show that the legislative norm is being implemented by all political parties.
The equal participation of women in political and electoral processes is based on the principles of non-discrimination and equal exercise of political rights established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, which enshrine universal and equal suffrage without gender separation. In accordance with articles 1 and 2 of the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, they have the right to vote in all elections on equal terms with men without any discrimination, and they can also be elected, on equal terms with men, without any discrimination, to all institutions established by national law requiring public elections.
Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights enshrines the right of all citizens not only to take part in socio-political events, but also to vote and be elected in genuine periodic elections, which should be held on the basis of universal and equal suffrage by secret ballot, and ensuring the free expression of the will of voters, as well as to be admitted to the State to serve in their country on general terms of equality.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women reaffirms the right of women to hold public office and to exercise all public functions at all levels of Government. 
In particular, article 7 establishes that States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:
• Vote in all elections and public referendums and be elected to all publicly elected bodies;
• Participate in the formulation and implementation of government policy and hold public office, as well as perform all public functions at all levels of government.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the exercise of the right to participate in elections, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women imposes an obligation on States to take appropriate measures to eliminate any manifestations of such discrimination. Article 4 of the Convention also recommends the use of temporary special measures to accelerate the implementation of article 7, which are usually aimed at increasing the number of women in elected bodies. This explains the introduction of a 40% quota for women in the Electoral Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Thus, this provision serves as an additional guarantee of women's participation in the electoral process.
Women's electoral rights and their guarantees in accordance with international standards, in addition to the Electoral Code, are established in other legislative acts. Thus, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for women and men" establishes State guarantees for women and men for equality in the exercise of personal, political, economic, social and cultural rights. At the same time, it is separately stated that the state guarantees women and men equal participation in the management of the affairs of society and the state, as well as in the electoral process.
 The Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030" provides for strengthening the system of support for women, ensuring their rights and legitimate interests, increasing social, economic, political activity and ensuring gender equality, while achieving an increase in the proportion of women in senior positions to 30 percent.
The Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality in the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030, which has identified priority areas of State policy towards women, provides for specific tasks to achieve the goal of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including the implementation of electoral rights, which are as follows:
• Involving women and men in the electoral processes of political parties on an equal basis, encouraging the promotion of women to leadership positions;
• monitoring the provision of equal rights and opportunities for women and men by political parties when nominating candidates for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, local Kengashes of people's deputies;
• Changing negative attitudes towards women in society by increasing their political activity;
• Monitoring the full observance of the rights of women and men to elect and be elected to representative bodies of State power;
• Ensuring equal representation of women and men in the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regional, district, city, district, precinct election commissions for elections and referendums.
In the current Parliament, the number of women deputies is 32% in the Legislative Chamber and 25% in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is headed by a woman. This is a noticeable increase compared to the previous Parliament, where the proportion of women was significantly lower. The indicator of the quantitative growth of women's representation in the political management system allowed Uzbekistan to take the 45th place among 190 national parliaments in the world ranking of the Interparliamentary Union "Women in Politics", published on January 1, 2023. For the first time in Uzbekistan's history, the number of women in Parliament has reached a level consistent with United Nations recommendations. 
Thus, the number of seats held by women in national parliaments is one of the indicators of progress in the process of achieving gender equality in the public and political life of the country. Therefore, given the opportunities provided for women's participation in the electoral process, as well as in elected leadership positions, it is logical that more and more women can and want to take advantage of them. 
Women leaders serve as an example to others by encouraging their participation in public life as active party members and political figures. At the same time, it is recognized that the increase in the number of women in Parliament contributes to the overall strengthening of democracy and more 
On the eve of the upcoming elections, among the priorities for achieving equal participation of women in political governance in Uzbekistan, increasing the activity of the electorate, public awareness of the role of women
in representative bodies and their participation in the management of society
and public affairs is of particular relevance.

Gulnoza Sattarova,
Chief Researcher at the Institute of Legislation and Legal Policy under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.