FAO Presents Updated “Gender Assessment of Agriculture and Rural Areas in Uzbekistan”

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — To mark the International Day of Rural Women, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State Committee for Family and Women’s Affairs, held a roundtable discussion titled “Rural Women and a Sustainable Future.”

The event brought together representatives of government agencies, international organizations, research institutions, civil society, and the media.

Opening remarks were delivered by Orzigul Kazikhonova, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women, Culture, and Sports; Nuriddin Kushnazarov, Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture; and Mukarram Akhmedova, Deputy Chairperson of the State Committee for Family and Women’s Affairs.

During the roundtable, FAO presented the updated version of its report “Gender Assessment of Agriculture and Rural Areas in Uzbekistan” (Country Gender Assessment – CGA). The study was introduced by FAO international consultant Elizabeth Duban, with the session moderated by Dono Abdurazakova, Senior Specialist at FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia.

According to Nuriddin Kushnazarov, the study serves as a foundation for practical decisions in rural development: “Today’s seminar is not only an opportunity to present the assessment’s findings but also a platform to outline next steps. We aim to develop initiatives that will help rural women realize their potential, improve their quality of life, and contribute more significantly to the country’s sustainable development and food security.”

Participants discussed the CGA’s findings, which focus on promoting gender equality, removing barriers to women’s access to economic and natural resources, and strengthening their role in agricultural and food systems.

As Dono Abdurazakova emphasized, empowering rural women is a key factor in achieving sustainable development: “FAO will continue to support national initiatives that enhance the economic and social role of women in rural areas, ensuring their voices are heard at all levels of decision-making.”

In conclusion, representatives of FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the State Committee for Family and Women’s Affairs reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts in integrating gender perspectives into national strategies and programs.

This initiative represents an important step toward building inclusive, sustainable, and equitable rural development in Uzbekistan.