Uzbek senator emphasizes efforts to promote women's rights in central Asia

Tanzila Narbaeva, chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan / Courtesy of Embassy of Republic of Uzbekistan in Korea

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Uzbekistan has shared how Central Asian countries made progress in improving women's rights on the principles of inclusiveness, during a United Nations' annual gathering on gender equality and women's empowerment.

The 65th session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was held from March 15 to 26. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, representatives from member states, U.N.-affiliated organizations and non-governmental organizations took part the meetings either in-person or virtually under the theme of “Women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

This year, Uzbekistan chaired the Dialogue of Women Leaders of Central Asian Countries. Tanzila Narbaeva, chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, issued a video message for the session.

Narbaeva spoke of “how the states of Central Asia have made great strides in protecting the rights, freedom and interests of women, preventing violence and discrimination against them, ensuring their participation in decision-making processes, based on the principles of inclusiveness.”

Over the past 20 years, the proportion of women in national parliaments has doubled in the Central Asian region.

Narbaeva said the countries included in the dialogue will concentrate on taking measures to eliminate all forms of violence against women and providing assistance to violence victims.

She also shared Uzbekistan's achievements in supporting women, improving their social status and expanding participation in decision-making roles in state and social affairs.

Uzbekistan has shown a great interest in women's rights and the social status of women, according to Narbaeva.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said, “The role of women in public administration is growing more and more. ... The number of women deputies in the new Parliament has doubled,” during the 75th session of the U.N. General Assembly in September 2020.

According to the annual U.N. Women report, there are only 10 female heads of state and 13 female prime ministers in the world as of today and there have never been women leaders in 119 countries. At the current pace, gender parity in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years.

More women are in the political world than ever. Women's representation in national parliaments of Europe and Central Asia jumped from 15.3 percent to 27.8 percent of seats between 2000 and 2019, while women were taking 12 head of state or government positions in 2019, tripled from four in 2000.

Despite progress, women are still largely excluded from politics, policies, budgets and data collection. Women in politics continue to face gender stereotypes and discrimination, threats and attacks, the report said.