Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 28 December 2019, a meeting of the Commission on Gender Equality of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held. It was attended by members of the Commission, representatives of ministries and departments, non-governmental non-profit organizations and the media.

The meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the Commission on Gender Equality of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Tanzila Narbaeva.

During the meeting, the results of the Commission’s activities in 2019, as well as a work plan for 2020, were considered.

It was noted that the Commission was created in accordance with the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated March 7, 2019 “On measures to further strengthen guarantees of labor rights and support women’s entrepreneurial activity”. Gender equality is an important factor in effective economic and social development. That is why the further provision in the country of favorable conditions for the full self-realization of women is raised to the level of state policy

In a short time, the Commission on Gender Equality of the Republic of Uzbekistan, together with partner structures, carried out targeted work to ensure gender equality in the country and improve the social conditions of women, comprehensive support and development of the institution of the family, implementation of generally accepted international standards in the national legislation on the elimination of all forms of discrimination regarding women, collaborating with international organizations, and ensuring effective the implementation of measures to improve the legal culture of women.

So, this year the most important steps have been taken in this direction. The laws “On guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for women and men” and “On the protection of women from oppression and violence” were adopted, and the Committee of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis on women and gender equality was formed.

An important area of the Commission’s activities has been the widespread propaganda and implementation of laws. So, the regulatory legal acts were brought into line with the laws “On guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for men and women”, “On the protection of women from oppression and violence”. The Commission, together with a number of authoritative international organizations, held international forums, conferences, seminars, and actions under the slogan "We are against violence."

In addition, in order to put into practice the application of a protection order, foreign experience has been studied, its draft has been developed and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers.

Along with this, a working group has been formed to adapt to local conditions the standards of interagency cooperation in the elimination of violence against women. The members of this working group study international experience in introducing minimum standards of healthcare, law and order, and providing psychological and social assistance. At the same time, the Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoi Fikr” conducted social surveys about problems in the field of gender equality in Uzbekistan.

In a short period of time, the Commission created 197 centers for the rehabilitation and adaptation of victims of violence. In order to improve the living conditions of women in difficult situations, an initial contribution was paid from the Public Fund for the Support of Women and Families when purchasing housing, 1,454 women, for which funds were allocated in the amount of 25 billion 194 million soums. Also provided the employment of more than 13 thousand of this category of women. In accordance with the Employment Program, over 250 thousand women have been employed.

Due to the formed reserve of personnel of 6 thousand active women with political and legal knowledge, innovative ideas and organizational abilities, their participation as candidates for deputies in the elections held on 22 December was ensured.

During the meeting, it was noted that ensuring the economic independence of women is an important factor in protecting their rights and freedoms. From this point of view, Women’s Entrepreneurship Centers were organized in 14 administrative-territorial territories of the country together with the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations. They assisted more than 27 thousand women, 10,500 women were trained in short-term courses. On the ground, measures were taken to employ an unoccupied part of women, as a result of which 2.1 thousand of them were provided with jobs.

The meeting analyzed the work carried out to expand the participation of women in the field of management, business and entrepreneurship, as well as providing women with work through the development of family entrepreneurship and home work. The specific results achieved in this direction are considered on the example of each region of the country. It was noted that in order to develop small business among women and create new jobs in the Bukhara and Samarkand regions, small grants were allocated for women living in rural areas. Of the 60 business plans submitted, 50 were selected for implementation.

Another focus of the Commission was the analysis of the activities of ministries and departments in the implementation of comprehensive programs to strengthen the role of women in public life, protect their rights and freedoms, and increase labor activity. So, the information of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations and the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan was heard.

In addition, the Commission, taking into account national and international standards, developed a draft Strategy for Gender Equality in Uzbekistan, aimed at ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men in the social, economic and political spheres. As part of the meeting, her presentation was held.

During the meeting, other areas of the Commission’s activities were critically analyzed.

It was emphasized that behind each figure, a large-scale work carried out in a short time, is the fate of ordinary women, who, thanks to the assistance provided by the Commission, found housing or a permanent place of work, perked up and began to look at life in a new way, realizing that they are not alone and they have someone to rely on.

Speakers during the discussion expressed their views, and it was also proposed to create a women’s club and an NGO club under the Commission.

The Commission, based on the issues discussed, identified priority areas of activity and tasks for the future.