Winners of the National “Gender Equality Activist” Contest Honored in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 14 February 2026, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan hosted a ceremonial event honoring the winners of the national stage of the “Gender Equality Activist” contest.

The ceremony opened with a speech by the Chairperson of the Senate, Tanzila Narbayeva, who emphasized the importance of a consistent state policy to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men.

The contest is held annually under the initiative of the Republican Commission on the Enhancement of Women’s Role in Society, Gender Equality, and Family Affairs. Its main goals are to develop effective gender equality policies within organizations, identify and widely share best practices, and protect the rights and lawful interests of women.

During the event, it was noted that, in recent years, large-scale reforms under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan have strengthened legal guarantees for women and expanded their participation in government and social life. Priorities in this area are enshrined in the updated Constitution, the “Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy, and the Gender Equality Strategy.

Over 110 regulatory acts governing the protection of women’s rights have been adopted, and a comprehensive institutional support system has been established. Gender equality is viewed not only as a principle of social justice but also as a crucial factor for sustainable economic development. International analyses show that countries with high female participation in education, employment, and governance demonstrate faster economic growth.

According to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, women in Uzbekistan’s parliament hold leading positions in terms of activity. In World Bank rankings, Uzbekistan is among the five countries with the most dynamic progress in gender equality, moving from 103rd to 52nd place in the Gender Equality and Governance Index.

Among contest-winning organizations, women constitute an average of 30–50% of staff, with 60 women holding managerial positions. More than 10,000 women have completed professional development courses, and 2.1 trillion soums have been allocated to support over 13,000 women.

Based on the evaluation conducted by the competition commission, winners in seven categories were recognized as follows:

Most Active National Organization in Promoting Gender Equality: Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, Central Bank, Navoi Mining & Metallurgy Combinat JSC.

Most Active Territorial Organization: Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.

Most Active District (City) Organization: Information and Library Center of Uzun District, Surkhandarya Region.

Most Active Khokimiyat: Khokimiyat of Fergana City and Khokimiyat of Gulistan District.

Most Active NGO: Center for Social and Legal Support of Women and Their Families “Mehrimiz Sizga” and Center for Social and Legal Rehabilitation of Youth with Disabilities “MILLENNIUM.”

Most Active Business Entity: Family enterprise “MIRZO BOSHI” and Confectionery House “Safia.”

Most Active Mass Media Outlet: National Information Agency of Uzbekistan, TV and Radio Channel “Uzbekistan 24,” and newspaper “Mahalla.”

It was highlighted that the winning organizations implemented around 10 projects aimed at supporting women, with particular recognition given to the active role of non-governmental organizations.

Looking ahead, plans include expanding the participation of local self-government bodies in the contest and introducing a new category: “Most Active Mahalla in Promoting Gender Equality.”