On March 1, under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a video conferencing was held on further improving the system of support for women and further strengthening their status in society.
In the history of our people, along with great scientists and generals, there were many equally great women, who gave life and inspired our ancestors to great deeds. Today, the women of our country selflessly work for the benefit of society in various regions and districts. In recent years, a number of laws, decrees and resolutions were adopted to improve their lives and ensure their rights and interests.
In 2021, 2 trillion Uzbek soums of loans and subsidies were allocated for more than 200 thousand projects under women’s entrepreneurship programs, 320 thousand women received permanent jobs. 190 thousand women were trained in professions, more than 4 thousand were provided with funds for an initial payment for the purchase of housing.
Two thousand girls were admitted to higher educational institutions on the basis of a special grant. As a result, women accounted for 60% of the students who enrolled in universities last year.
Since 2020, the “women’s book” system has been introduced, about 900 thousand women registered in it were provided with socio-economic, medical, legal and psychological assistance.
The next urgent tasks in this direction were discussed on this meeting.
Currently more than 630 thousand women are registered in the “women’s notebook”, and 200 thousand of them are unemployed. Unfortunately, there are frequent cases of crime among women, as well as domestic violence and harassment against them.
The President has stated that the role and influence of makhalla (the local residential community area) activists, the public and the elderly in addressing these problems are not felt.
“Our prosperous life today and our bright future depend on women. If we want our people to be satisfied with us, first of all we must create decent living conditions for our mothers and sisters. If a mother is satisfied, then a family is satisfied. If a family is pleased, then a society is pleased”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
This goal is defined as one of the priorities in the development strategy of our country. For the systematic implementation of the tasks in the sphere in terms of makhallas, the State Committee for Family and Women Affairs has been established today by a Presidential Decree.
The Chairperson of the Committee shall concurrently hold a post a Deputy Prime Minister and a member of the Senate. The heads of regional, district and city branches of the Committee shall also hold the post of a deputy khokims.
The Committee shall manage the Women’s Support Fund and the Women’s Book Fund. The positions of Deputy Chairpersons for Women and Families at 9309 makhallas of the country shall also be transferred to the Committee system and the position of a women’s activist shall be introduced at each makhalla.
“Thus, a system that will listen to women will be introduced in every district. Thanks to the system, there will be the objective figures on my table about needs of women and condition of solving the issues of their education and childcare”, the President said.
Previously, the Ministry for Support of Makhalla and Family was responsible for women’s issues. In connection with the establishment of a separate Committee, it has been reorganized into the Ministry for Support of Makhalla and the Elderly.
It is planned to create a new system in this area, as well. On the ground, this task will be assigned directly to khokims (governors and mayors) and corresponding position of a deputy khokim will be abolished. The Chairperson of makhalla will ensure the coordinated activities of the khokim’s assistant, a youth leader and a women’s activist.
In addition, the activities of People’s Reception Centers will be organized at a makhalla level.
At the meeting, the President paid a special attention to the issues of social protection of women. It was instructed to introduce a procedure whereby, as of September 1, 2022, women working in the private sector will be paid maternity benefits by the state. It was noted that 200 billion Uzbek soums will be allocated from the budget this year, and 1.7 trillion Uzbek soums in 2023.
Touching upon the issue of improving the living conditions of women, the President said: “Once it was not possible to give women preferential housing, there was no legal basis, no money”.
At the meeting, it was decided to send at least 40% of mortgage subsidies to women.
The specific measures will also be taken to strengthen their health. In particular, 6 thousand women will receive high-tech medical care this year. The women with disabilities will be provided with rehabilitation facilities. A cancer screening will be organized for 3 million women. The instructions have also been given on vaccinating girls, providing women of fertile age with medicines and vitamins free of charge.
Acquiring a good education and a profession is one of the issues to which the President attaches a priority. The meeting made historic decisions to expand women’s access to education.
In particular, a women’s education support program will be developed for 2022-2026. It will provide for the establishment of a textile university in the capital city through public-private partnerships. Moreover, the technical schools of the university with the participation of cotton-textile and wool clusters will be opened on the ground.
From the new academic year, for the first time, the interest-free loans for 7 years will be available to pay for tuition fee. For this purpose, 1.8 trillion Uzbek soums will be allocated to banks this year, and in the next five years – 8 trillion Uzbek soums.
Another piece of news: from the next academic year, the state will reimburse from the budget the amount of tuition fees of girls for a master’s degree. The contracts for the education of female students from low-income families, as well as the female students-orphans, will be paid for by local budgets.
At least 300 quota places for doctoral studies will be allocated annually to significantly increase the proportion of women among scientists.
The instructions are given on the establishment of Skills Assessment Centers at mono-centers and universities, training women in demanded professions.
It is planned to adopt the Business Women Program for 2022-2024. In total, 8 trillion Uzbek soums will be allocated for its implementation. The entrepreneurship courses will be opened for women, soft loans will be provided.
The President has stressed the need to support entrepreneurs, who provide jobs for unemployed women. The numerous tax benefits and trade preferences have been announced for such business entities.
Strengthening the legal protection of women were also discussed. Currently, women, who have been exposed to domestic violence, are given a special protection for a period of 30 days. However, there is a gap in this system.
In this regard, the protection of women from harassment and violence will now be provided by court and a special protection will be established for up to one year.
Strengthening a family and increasing the responsibility of parents in raising children is also an urgent issue.
The President suggested to create the Oqila Ayollar (‘Wise Women’) Movement, consisting of respected and educated women.
“This movement should become the “makhalla’s conscience”. Though, it is impossible to build an enlightened society without enlightened mothers”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The officials were instructed to organize and monitor the implementation of the activities defined at the meeting. The active women, heads of industries and regions spoke at the meeting.
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