Senate of Uzbekistan Submits Parliamentary Inquiry to Committee on Family and Women’s Affairs on Measures to Reduce Divorces

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During its eleventh plenary session, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis considered the issue of submitting a parliamentary inquiry to the Committee on Family and Women’s Affairs, focused on measures to strengthen the family institution and prevent divorces.

The session highlighted that Uzbekistan has established an extensive legal and regulatory framework in the area of family relations, including 20 laws governing family matters, 32 presidential decrees and resolutions, and 45 Cabinet of Ministers’ resolutions.

The updated Constitution enshrines the state’s obligation to create social, economic, and legal conditions for the full development of the family as the foundation of society.

Senators emphasized that systematic work is underway to promote family values. The movement “Okila A’yollar” has been established, individualized support is provided for families experiencing conflict, and joint projects are being implemented with the mahalla institution. Experimentally, the judicial system has introduced family judges to prevent divorces and resolve conflicts.

At the same time, analyses indicate that challenges remain. In 2024, 271,776 marriages were registered, while the number of divorces reached 45,135, with 28.5% involving individuals under 30 years old. The highest numbers of divorces were recorded in Tashkent (5,913), Fergana (4,800), Andijan (4,781), and Samarkand (4,599) regions.

In the first half of 2025, 95,275 marriages were registered alongside 23,338 divorces (24%), representing a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Divorce growth was observed in 112 districts and cities across the country.

Analysis of divorce causes in 2024 shows that civil courts considered 32,217 cases. Of these, 54% (17,535) were attributed to incompatibility of personalities, 6% (1,807) to entering new relationships, 4% (1,222) to unpreparedness for family life, and 3% (1,033) to mutual distrust. In addition, civil registry offices registered 7,499 divorces due to family disagreements.

Special attention was given to the issue of lowering the legal marriage age. Over the past five years, 391 cases were recorded in which individuals were permitted to marry below the legal age based on decisions by local hokims.

The session also noted an increase in marriages involving minors, marriages of girls below the legal age, and religious ceremonies conducted without official registration.

Following the discussion, senators adopted a resolution to submit a parliamentary inquiry to the Committee on Family and Women’s Affairs. The inquiry aims to strengthen measures for the protection and reinforcement of the family institution, prevent divorces, and curb marriages involving minors.