UNFPA Names Nigina Jabarova Bodyright Champion

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has appointed actress, youth leader and influencer Nigina Jabarova as the champion of its global Bodyright campaign in Uzbekistan.

The appointment marks a new stage in the country's efforts to promote a safer digital environment and strengthen the rights of women and girls online.

Uzbekistan has become the first country in Central Asia to join UNFPA's global Bodyright movement, which aims to raise awareness of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and promote a safer, more respectful and inclusive digital environment.

According to UNFPA, the initiative marks the beginning of long-term cooperation with public figures, influencers, artists and other opinion leaders to raise awareness of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, engage young people in open dialogue and help create a digital space where women and girls can participate safely, freely and with dignity.

UNFPA said digital technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for communication, education, work, creativity and civic participation. At the same time, digital platforms are increasingly being used for harassment, threats, cyberstalking, hate speech, doxing, and the publication or manipulation of intimate images without consent, as well as other forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

According to the organisation, such forms of violence can have serious psychological, social, physical and economic consequences, silencing women and girls, limiting their participation in public life and preventing them from using digital platforms safely and freely.

"The internet should be a safe space for every woman and every girl. The appointment of Nigina Jabarova as the UNFPA Bodyright campaign champion strengthens the voice of one of the most important initiatives to protect women and girls in the digital environment. It also marks the beginning of broader cooperation with public figures, influencers, artists and actors who will help bring this important message to a wider audience.

"Together, we will raise awareness of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and work to create a safer digital space for women and girls," said Dr Nigina Abaszade, UNFPA Representative in Uzbekistan and Country Director for Tajikistan.

"It is a great honour for me to join UNFPA and use my voice and influence to support women and girls, especially young people who spend a significant part of their lives online. Safety and respect must exist everywhere—both offline and online. I hope that together we can build a digital culture based on dignity, empathy and equality," Jabarova said.

UNFPA said it works closely with government institutions, legal experts, civil society organisations and young people to prevent and address gender-based violence, including violence committed or amplified through digital technologies.

In March 2026, UNFPA published the Review of the Legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, providing an analysis of national legislation and law enforcement practices. According to the organisation, the publication serves as a practical resource for lawmakers, legal professionals, government agencies and civil society organisations working to strengthen the protection of the rights of women and girls.

UNFPA has also developed educational materials explaining different forms of online violence, their consequences and practical steps people can take to protect themselves in digital spaces. Through public awareness campaigns, social media content, expert discussions and youth engagement, the organisation said it continues to promote responsible digital behaviour and raise awareness of technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

According to UNFPA, young people are not only users of technology but also its creators, innovators and drivers of positive change. By recognising harmful online behaviour, supporting those affected by digital violence and promoting a culture of respect, consent and shared responsibility, they can make a significant contribution to creating a safer and more inclusive digital environment.

Bodyright is a global UNFPA campaign and public movement aimed at ending technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Launched in 2021, the campaign introduced the ⓑ symbol, described by UNFPA as the world's first copyright symbol for the human body. The symbol highlights every person's right to protection from digital violence and the unauthorised use of images of their body online.

The ⓑ symbol can be added to photographs and other digital content featuring a person to affirm that human bodies, personal images, personal data, dignity and rights deserve the same protection in digital spaces as copyrighted works and intellectual property.

The campaign calls on technology companies, digital platform developers, public officials, institutions, organisations, communities and individuals to strengthen online protections and take practical measures to prevent digital violence.

According to UNFPA, Bodyright is based on the principle that women and girls have an inherent right to control their bodies and images. Any distribution, alteration or use of such images without their consent may violate human rights, the right to privacy, human dignity and bodily autonomy.

Uzbekistan is the first country in Central Asia to join the global Bodyright movement, which seeks to raise awareness of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and promote a safer digital environment for women and girls.