Festive Address
by the President of the
Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev
on the occasion of International Women’s Day
Dear mothers and sisters!
My lovely daughters!
I sincerely congratulate you, the representatives of the world of magnificence, our country’s women, who are taking part at today’s celebration, which is completely unique in its splendor and joy, on the International Women’s Day. I express my deepest respect and best wishes to all of you.
First of all, I wish you a sound health as you are the happiness of your family and loved ones, as well as our people, who exalt the women’s dignity, and always being in such a beautiful spring mood.
Dear compatriots!
From time immemorial, our people revere a Mother’s image, the Woman, as a great blessing, an incomparable miracle of the Creator, and shall always cherish it. Our country’s sacred architectural monuments and complexes, such as Bibikhanim, Qizbibi, Modarikhon and Qirqqiz, also attest to such high consideration since the ancient times.
Meanwhile, we are truly proud of our revered women, who gave life and brought up with love our great ancestors, who inspired them to glorious deeds, who made an unforgettable and invaluable contribution to the development of mankind.
It is well known that the measure of humanity and justice in any society and the state is first and foremost the attitude and care for women.
Ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of women, increasing their economic, social and political activity has become one of the priorities of the development strategy of New Uzbekistan in order to achieve the lofty goal of satisfying our people.
In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to some examples.
On the basis of the noble principle «No one shall be left out of care and attention», about 900,000 women were provided the socio-economic, medical, legal and psychological assistance in 2021. 2 trillion soums have been allocated from the budget for these purposes.
In particular, 400 billion soums of soft loans have been allocated to 18,000 women for the purchase of housing.
In addition, a procedure to cover the cost of kindergarten for families that have lost their breadwinners from the budget has been introduced.
Please, draw your attention to another important number. In 2021 alone, more than 2 trillion soums of loans and subsidies have been allocated to support women’s entrepreneurship. As a result, more than 320,000 of our sisters have permanent jobs and incomes.
A significant work is being accomplished in our country to strengthen a makhalla and family institutions, which are the key link in society.
In addition, in 2021, more than 2,000 girls from low-income families were admitted to higher education institutions on a state grant basis, and the same number of female students were paid contract fees. Thanks to our focus on women’s education, 60% of the students admitted to higher education institutions last year were women.
If 110,000 of our girls were educated at universities six years ago, today their number has reached 400,000, or their share has risen from 38% in 2016 to almost 50%.
I think you will agree with me that this is also a practical results of our reforms in this area.
It is well known that the level of maturity of any nation is determined, first of all, by the scientific and cultural maturity of women, since intelligent and educated mothers create the great future of the nation.
The wise men have said: «By teaching one girl, you teach a whole family».
We will persevere in the work we have begun to ensure that our girls have modern knowledge and profession and find a worthy place in society and in their families. In this regard, first of all, the National Program to Support Women’s Education for 2022-2026 was adopted. As part of this document, we will establish a separate university for women at the capital city and its technical colleges in the regions. An interest-free loan for 7 years will be introduced for all female students to pay for education contracts.
As a continuation of this work, we will raise to a new level of comprehensive support for women scientists who make a significant contribution to the development of our country with their scientific research and discoveries.
Today among our sisters there are dozens of academics and professors, doctors and candidates of science, hundreds of talented researchers. Doing science, creating scientific innovation is like digging a well with a needle.
As I am out of this field myself, I know how difficult and complex science is. Therefore, I personally consider the women scientists, who care for the family and bring up a child in conjunction with scientific research, who achieve significant practical results in this field to be steadfast and dedicated people and highly appreciate them.
In order to enhance the interest and enthusiasm of bright-minded and intelligent women in science, we have identified a number of important measures. In particular, from the next academic year, 200 billion Uzbek soums will be allocated annually to fully cover the tuition fee of all girls studying for a master’s degree at the expense of the budget, on an annual basis at least 300 targeted quotas are allocated for women earning doctoral degrees.
In order to systematically organize and coordinate this work, the Society of Female Scholars will be established at the State Committee for Family and Women. This society will unite female scientists, who are making great strides in the field of science in our country and abroad, and will become a unique flying platform for the light of their intellect to penetrate into every aspect of our lives.
In an effort to encourage the arduous and honorable work of diligent scientists, create favorable conditions for them in all respects, the «Society of Female Scholars» will receive 50 billion Uzbek soums annually.
In general, 1.8 trillion Uzbek soums will be allocated for above-mentioned goals for the current and next year.
Dear participants of the meeting!
As you well know, at the recent meeting in support of women, we have discussed in detail the most important issues facing us and adopted major decrees and resolutions.
In order to ensure the systematic and effective implementation of these tasks, the post of Deputy Prime Minister was restored and the State Committee on Family and Women was established.
Almost 9,500 deputy chairpersons of makhallas for women and family affairs in the country have also been transferred to the Committee system. The position of women’s activist was re-introduced at each neighborhood.
In this regard, a fair and effective system has been established to constantly tackle the problems and worries of our sisters.
The approaches to the social protection of women in our country will be fundamentally reconsidered. In particular, the key measures will be taken to create the necessary conditions for low-income women, to restore and protect women’s health, especially to promote the professional development of women living in rural areas, employment and entrepreneurship.
With a view of further increasing the number of women entrepreneurs in our country, the program «Business Women» has been adopted and 8 trillion Uzbek soums will be allocated thereupon. In addition, 40% of mortgage subsidies will be allocated to women this year. This will provide 12,000 affordable housing for low-income women.
15 trillion Uzbek soums are being allocated for the implementation of such unprecedented large-scale projects in our history.
If we organize the movement «Smart Women» uniting prestigious women who can have an educative impact on the public, especially young people, I think this noble action will literally become the voice of our society, the conscience of the neighborhood.
In addition, «Women’s Councils» are being established in all working groups, regardless of the form of ownership in order to find effective solutions to women’s problems.
I would like to emphasize that the issue of women and the family is a decisive factor that determines not only our present, but also our future.
If we do a small good deed to women – the angels of our homes, the symbol of kindness and devotion, it will surely have a big effect. The gracious grandmothers, beloved mothers and dear sisters will definitely appreciate this esteem and consideration. In a country where women’s dignity and human nobility are glorified, peace and prosperity, harmony and well-being will surely be sustainable.
Dear participants of the festive event!
We are gratified to note that today women are becoming the active participants and initiators in the democratic processes and comprehensive reforms in our country.
We are paying a special attention to increasing the number of our well-educated and loyal sisters in the Government, Parliament, Local councils, and in various fields.
Taking this opportunity, on behalf of myself and all our people, let me express my deep gratitude to thousands of dedicated and active women like you, who are selflessly working for the prosperity of our Motherland.
At the same time, I sincerely congratulate the women diplomats who are taking part in today’s event – distinguished ambassadors of foreign states and representatives of international organizations. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for your worthy contribution to the development of our mutually beneficial and multifaceted relations.
I am especially grateful to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Central Asia, Her Excellency Mme. Natalia Gherman, for participating in today’s celebration as a guest. We sincerely congratulate her on this holiday and wish her great success in her responsible endeavour to strengthen good-neighborliness and multifaceted cooperation in our region.
Dear women!
We have set ourselves the great goal of building the foundations of the Third Renaissance in our Motherland. In this noble path, we rely, first and foremost, on the sacred values of the family and the high spirituality of our mothers who are true mentors of us.
In this regard, I would like to address all women of the Republic.
It is the honorable duty of all mothers of Uzbekistan to infuse the hearts of our children with great goals and noble ideas.
It is truly within your power to bring up a high human quality, brave and courageous, patriotic young generation. It is the key investment and inexhaustible wealth for a bright future.
I would like to share an idea in my heart with my brave and charming daughters, as well.
Today we live in a free and open society. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we must keep up with the times, master modern science and professions, master the achievements of progress, while remaining faithful to our national identity. I am confident that you will be worthy of such high hopes and trust of our people.
Dear compatriots!
It is well known that it has become a good tradition to award our gifted girls, who have demonstrated their abilities and talents in various fields, with the Zulfiya State Award every year on the eve of this holiday.
Today, my heart is filled with boundless pride and joy to see the 28 intelligent children who have been recognized as worthy followers of Zulfiya Khanum and will join the ranks of the award winners. I sincerely congratulate my daughters, who are achieving high results like you, and I hope that you will be an example for your peers in selfless labor and leadership qualities.
It is a great honor for me on this wonderful day to present high awards to the worthy representatives of the women of the country who have been actively participating in the life of the state and society for many years and have achieved great success and results in their field through their selfless work.
Each of you, with your enthusiasm, intention and experience, making a great contribution to the prosperity of our New Uzbekistan and the well-being of our people.
Anyone who has earned the attention and infinite love of the country has the right to feel happy.
Winning the highest awards of the state means earning trust of the people.
It is great honor for me on this wonderful day to present these high awards to you.
Dear women!
My beloved daughters!
I sincerely congratulate all of you once again on this spring and the feast of elegance, beauty and grace.
I wish you the most precious wealth in the world –the joy of seeing the happiness of children and grandchildren.
I wish you a sound health, well-being and prosperity!