Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A high-level National Dialogue titled “Gender Equality in Agri-Policy — A Foundation for Sustainable Rural Development” was held in the capital, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The event marked a historic milestone in Uzbekistan’s agricultural policy, bringing together a broad range of participants, including members of both chambers of parliament, representatives of key ministries and agencies, international organizations, academic institutions, NGOs, farmers, and students from agricultural universities.

The central focus of the meeting was the official launch of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Gender Strategy for 2025–2030 — the first document of its kind in the sector’s history. Developed with FAO’s technical assistance, the strategy aims to empower women in agriculture by improving access to land, financial resources, participation in governance, and decision-making processes.

According to FAO data, women make up about 40% of the agricultural workforce in Uzbekistan but hold only 7% of leadership positions.

During the event, the strategy’s priorities, expected outcomes, implementation mechanisms, and interagency coordination and monitoring systems were presented. Special attention was given to innovative startups and research projects related to gender issues in agriculture, introduced by university students.

Minister of Agriculture Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov emphasized that gender equality is a key condition for sustainable rural development, expressing confidence that the strategy would serve as an effective tool for expanding women's economic opportunities.

“Our women are the backbone of agriculture. They lead in farming, agrotechnology, and science. The new strategy is a roadmap to strengthening their role in the sector and ensuring equal access to resources,” the minister stated.

Sherzod Umarov, Deputy FAO Representative in Uzbekistan, noted that the strategy is not merely a conceptual framework but a concrete action plan to enhance women’s roles in the rural economy.

The dialogue featured thematic sessions discussing:

International cooperation in supporting women in agriculture;

Uzbekistan’s gender policy in agriculture and its future outlook.

International experts highlighted the significance of the strategy, noting that Uzbekistan is the first country in Central Asia to adopt a dedicated gender strategy in agricultural policy.

As a result of the forum, memorandums of cooperation were signed between FAO, UNFPA, and the Committee on Family and Women’s Affairs. Participants who made significant contributions to promoting gender initiatives were recognized and awarded.

Lola Saidova, a rural entrepreneur from Kashkadarya, shared her thoughts:
“For many years, women remained in the shadows. Today we are gaining the opportunity to realize our own projects, share knowledge, and develop leadership potential.”

Attendees were presented with videos and documentaries highlighting real-life stories of rural women. The launch of the informational portal www.genderagri.uz was also announced, designed to promote the strategy to a wider audience.

At the conclusion of the dialogue, a final document was adopted — a “Call to Practical Action,” outlining key implementation steps.

Target goals for 2030 include:

Increasing the share of women in leadership positions in agriculture to 20%;

Expanding women’s access to financial services by 40%;

Raising rural household incomes by 10–12% through greater female participation;

Improving Uzbekistan’s position in international gender equality rankings by 15–20 points.

Additionally, a digital monitoring platform was announced, which will ensure transparency and regular reporting on gender equality progress.

The National Dialogue marked a significant step forward in advancing gender policy in Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to meeting its international obligations on equality and sustainable development.