Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 14 November 2020, a press conference was held in the city of Nukus of the Republic of Karakalpakstan on the ongoing work to ensure gender equality.

The event was moderated by the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the Commission for Ensuring Gender Equality Tanzila Narbaeva.

It was noted that over the past period of the current year, the Commission has done certain work to ensure gender equality and protect women from oppression and violence. In particular, an inventory of legislation was carried out for compliance with the standards for the protection of women’s rights to work and business.

In addition, the Commission is working to implement the provisions of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as the Beijing Platform for Action and the National Plan. By a joint decision of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations and the Ministry of Health from 10 June 2019, the "List of jobs with unfavorable working conditions, where full or partial use of female labor is prohibited" was canceled.

A draft "Strategy for achieving gender equality in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2020-2030" has been prepared and is being coordinated with state and non-governmental organizations. It is noteworthy that all areas of this Strategy are developed in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030.

In order to improve the living conditions of women living in difficult conditions, last year the Public Fund for Support of Women and the Family paid 1493 women an initial contribution of 25 billion 778 soums of new housing. A program has been adopted to employ such women, especially girls. This year, commercial banks allocated loans to 426 women in the amount of 58 billion 125 million soums.

During the event, detailed information was provided on the existing shortcomings in ensuring gender equality, measures to eliminate them and plans for the future.

At the press conference, representatives of the media and bloggers received detailed answers to their questions.