07.03.2024

A solemn ceremony dedicated to International Women’s Day took place in the city of Tashkent. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, participated in the ceremony. In his speech, the Head of State expressed sincere love and deep respect for women.

We eagerly await this day every year with special warmth in our hearts. On this festive day, we bow before the greatness of mothers, esteemed women who have given us life, surrounded us with love, and raised us. After all, respect for human honor and dignity begins with respect for our beloved women, said the President.

Significant work is being carried out in our country in this direction. In particular, within the framework of the “Uzbekistan 2030” Strategy, comprehensive measures are being taken to increase the activity of women, protect motherhood and childhood, promote gender equality, and ensure the rights and interests of women.

This is manifested in all spheres. For example, in the political sphere, the Electoral Code stipulates that the number of women candidates for deputies should be at least 40 percent or at least 2 out of every 5 candidates. To date, the proportion of women in public administration has increased from 27 percent in 2017 to 35 percent.

Significant results have also been achieved in expanding economic opportunities for women and developing female entrepreneurship. Over the past five years, the number of businesswomen in Uzbekistan has doubled, and the number of female entrepreneurs who have started their own businesses has exceeded 205,000. In addition, nearly 200,000 women have been trained in various professions and entrepreneurship, and over 400,000 have been provided with employment.

Great attention is paid to realizing the potential of girls. Today, about 1.3 million students are enrolled in higher education institutions, more than half of whom are girls. Girls from low-income families are admitted to education through additional state grants. They are provided with preferential educational loans and coverage of contract costs for those in need of social protection.

Women in our country are achieving great success in science. Over the past seven years, 5,247 women have been awarded scientific titles. Girls make up 47 percent of the participants in the “One Million Programmers” project.

Despite the difficulties, we are finding additional opportunities and creating conditions for the development of social spheres and the realization of the potential of women and girls, and we will continue this work. After all, the education of women, including girls, their access to higher education, and the acquisition of professions will contribute to the happiness of families, the development of children, and the prosperity of society as a whole, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President highlighted the tasks aimed at improving women's health, ensuring their employment, developing female entrepreneurship, and strengthening social protection, as provided for in the State Program for Youth and Business Support.

A special commission will be established under the leadership of the Chairman of the Senate to work in each region until March 8 of next year. Based on entirely new systems and approaches, the commission will organize activities to train women in professions, provide employment opportunities, and involve them in entrepreneurship.

The hokims of regions, districts, cities, deputy hokims for women’s affairs, as well as active women together with the Commission, will be responsible for providing employment for almost 580,000 unemployed women in 9,442 mahallas during this year.

A separate program will be adopted within a month to extensively involve women in entrepreneurship, and 15 trillion som will be allocated for project implementation. Additionally, grants totaling US$100 million will be attracted from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, South Korea, and Germany.

The Association of Mahallas of Uzbekistan and its regional structures, along with activists in the “Mahalla Seven” group, should assist women and serve as close advisors on family matters.

Motherhood and raising a child are great missions. The population of our country increases by almost 900,000 people annually. It is our sacred duty to raise them as physically and spiritually developed individuals, imbued with a sense of patriotism.

In this regard, the Head of our State addressed all women.

Henceforth, we must conduct spiritual and educational work in a completely new way. Guided by the principle of “Humanism is our goal, enlightenment is our strength”, we must start this important work primarily within the family and mahalla. As the sacred hadith says, 'There is no better inheritance than good upbringing.' It is in such matters that the responsibility of our dear women, who bless us as mothers, is vividly manifested, emphasized the President.

The attention given to women in our country is recognized at the international level. In a recently published World Bank index, Uzbekistan was recognized as one of the five countries in the world with the fastest progress in gender equality. This year, our country will host another major event, the Asian Women’s Forum.

The President sincerely congratulated the foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organizations participating in the festive event.

By the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated March 4 of this year, 28 girls were awarded the State Zulfiya Prize, and in accordance with the decree of March 5, active women from various fields were honored with orders and medals. The event featured the solemn presentation of these prestigious awards.

Women from different regions of our country, as well as female employees of ministries and agencies, celebrated the holiday at a festive table.

The event continued with a colorful concert program.