President of Uzbekistan Congratulates Women on March 8, Highlights Their Contribution to National Development

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A celebratory event was held at the Kuksaroy Residence in honor of International Women’s Day. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev warmly congratulated all women of Uzbekistan on March 8, emphasizing their vital role in the country’s development.

“It is impossible to imagine human life and the progress of society without women and their noble qualities. We see in you a great strength, which, as creators of the Third Renaissance, nurtures 22 million young people entering life with maternal care, guiding them to maturity. You are entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, doctors, engineers, and public servants. In short, you are the angels of our homes, the support of families and society,” the President said.

Uzbekistan has established a completely new system to protect women’s rights, address their concerns, and promote their interests. Legal mechanisms for gender impact assessment are now incorporated into all laws, decrees, and regulations, ensuring that no legal act is adopted without evaluating its effects on women’s rights and interests.

As a result, a class of about 230,000 female entrepreneurs has emerged, the number of female farmers exceeds 12,000, and the number of women scientists surpasses 6,000. Last year, Uzbek women earned 167 gold, 193 silver, and 243 bronze medals in international competitions.

These significant achievements have been recognized by the international community. Uzbekistan rose 92 positions in the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s “Women in Parliaments” ranking, reaching 36th place. In the World Bank’s “Women, Business and the Law” index, the country improved 43 positions to 48th place, while in the “Gender Equality and Governance” index it climbed from 103rd to 52nd.

The President expressed sincere gratitude to women who contribute to the construction of a New Uzbekistan with their labor, talent, and intellect, to young women representing the country internationally, and to their parents, mentors, and teachers.

Employment and income for women remain a central focus. Last year, 23.5 trillion soums in loans were allocated to support women’s employment and entrepreneurship, enabling more than 425,000 women to engage in business activities. For example, entrepreneur Nargiza Bekmuratova, who employs 300 women in the textile sector, opened a second factory last year, creating an additional 100 jobs. At an international competition held in Ankara in 2025, she was recognized as the winner in the “Woman Entrepreneur Creating the Most Jobs” category.

“I consider such proactive women as creators of the New Uzbekistan and am ready to provide them with all possible support,” the President emphasized.

This year, 166,000 women will be trained in modern professions and entrepreneurship, with another 100,000 trained in information technology. Additionally, the “Profitable Woman” program will support women wishing to run home-based businesses, providing employment for 50,000 women in crafts, poultry farming, beekeeping, and horticulture. Under the “Khamroh” program, 3,000 women-led projects will receive a total of 1 trillion soums in funding. Overall, the goal for this year is to ensure income generation for 1.5 million women, with 400,000 engaged in business, backed by over 25 trillion soums in resources.

Currently, female students account for over 904,000 of university enrollees, representing 54% of all students. Last year, 60 Uzbek women were admitted to the world’s most prestigious universities. Among interns, researchers, and graduate students, women constitute 8,500, or 61%.

The President specifically noted the achievements of Indira Satniyazova from Kegeyli district, Vazira Fayzullaeva from Bukhara, and Mashkhura Kudratova from Navoi in international science Olympiads, as well as Dilafruz Djuraboeva from Buvayda, who was recognized as a Microsoft ambassador in Uzbekistan after winning multiple international startup competitions.

Starting from the new academic year, state scholarships for women from low-income families have been doubled to 4,000 quotas. Tuition fees for female graduate students enrolled in joint programs with 300 leading universities will also be fully covered by the state.

Uzbekistan will annually hold startup competitions across at least ten sectors to support women’s innovative ideas. Winners in each category will receive grants of up to 500 million soums from the Innovation Fund.

Training for girls who have completed 11th grade and enrolled in state technical colleges will be fully financed through government grants.

“Creating an uncompromising environment against violence and pressure targeting women and children is a strategic priority for us. This week, I signed another important decree. From now on, combating any instances of violence or pressure against women and children will be conducted under a clear and strict system,” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated.

The President emphasized that women who have committed crimes for various reasons remain citizens of the country. There is a need to carefully consider how to reintegrate them into society and transform them into fully contributing members. Most women serving sentences in correctional facilities have only secondary education and lack professional skills or trades, although some express a desire to pursue higher education.

To address this, the “New Life” program has been launched for targeted support of such women. They will undergo three to six months of professional training and receive corresponding certification. Additionally, inmates will have the opportunity to take exams within the facilities, enroll in universities, and pursue distance learning. Women admitted to contract-based programs will be eligible for interest-free loans after completing their sentences and securing employment.

“Today, New Uzbekistan boldly enters a new phase of its development. We face grand objectives, which above all serve human happiness and dignity. Human happiness begins with the family, and the family is strong because of women. The next generation is nurtured in this sacred space. Undoubtedly, the spiritual upbringing of our girls plays a key role in this process,” the President emphasized.

The address highlighted that virtues such as care, honor, conscience, and responsibility are instilled in girls through the guidance of grandmothers. Girls raised in such families set an example for peers through their behavior, manners, and attitude toward life. In modern conditions, the need for such formative education has never been more relevant.

President Mirziyoyev also stressed that in today’s tense and uncertain global environment, it is particularly important to value and safeguard peace and stability in the country, a sacred duty for every citizen. In this context, he expressed confidence that caring grandmothers and respected mothers will continue to serve as role models, instilling gratitude and the ability to appreciate this great value in children and grandchildren.

On the eve of International Women’s Day, the President awarded high state honors, orders, and medals to a group of women who have made notable contributions to national development. Additionally, 28 young women excelling in academics, creativity, science, sports, and public activity were awarded the Zulfiya State Prize. The awards were presented in a ceremonial setting.

“Through hard and honest work, we earn recognition and respect from the world. Most importantly, in every sector and field, the foundation of New Uzbekistan is being built,” the President concluded.

“For us, it is especially important in today’s extremely challenging and complex times to work together, united and coordinated, to achieve the ambitious goals we have set.

My primary objective is to make the women of New Uzbekistan happy and to transform our country into a place where people live in joy and prosperity.

I am confident that dedicated, energetic, and hardworking women like you, together with the entire nation, will surely achieve our noble goals!” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev concluded his speech.