Speech by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the ceremony dedicated to International Women's Day
Uzbekistan
Dear mothers, dear sisters, dear daughters! I sincerely and wholeheartedly congratulate you, all the women of Uzbekistan, on International Women's Day – March 8. Without women and their remarkable, noble qualities, it is impossible to imagine the development of society, or even life itself. We see in you a great force, who with maternal love have nurtured and educated our 22 million young generation, the creators of the Third Renaissance in our country. You are entrepreneurs and scientists, teachers, doctors and engineers, government and public figures. In short, you are the keepers of the hearth, the pillars of the family and our entire society.
Dear women!
We have created a new system in the country for ensuring the rights and interests of women and addressing their problems. Legal mechanisms for gender-sensitive review of all laws, decrees, and resolutions have been introduced upon their adoption. From now on, no law will be adopted without an assessment of its impact on women's rights and interests.
As a result of the broad opportunities and conditions created in the country, a class of entrepreneurs has emerged, including approximately 230,000 women. 12,000 female farmers are actively working in agriculture, and more than 6,000 female scientists are making a significant contribution to the development of science. It is also worth noting that last year, our women won 167 gold, 193 silver, and 243 bronze medals in international sports arenas.
Such significant changes in the lives of our women are receiving recognition from the international community. Specifically, in the Inter-Parliamentary Union's "Women in Parliament" ranking, Uzbekistan climbed 92 spots to 36th place. In the Gender Equality and Governance Index, it rose from 103rd to 52nd place. In the World Bank's "Women, Business and the Law" report, it improved its position by 43 spots, ranking 48th.
Dear participants of the ceremony!
The issue of providing women with employment and income is always at the center of our attention. Last year, we allocated 23.5 trillion soums in loans to increase their employment and encourage entrepreneurship, resulting in more than 425,000 women finding employment and starting businesses.
For example, Nargiza Bekmuratova from the Yangiarik district, who employed 300 women in the textile industry, opened a second factory last year and created another 100 jobs. In 2025, she won the "Entrepreneur Who Created the Most Jobs for Women" award at an international competition in Ankara.
I consider these proactive women and girls to be the builders of the New Uzbekistan. And I am ready to support them in every way possible.
Therefore, this year, 166,000 women will be trained in modern professions and entrepreneurship, and another 100,000 in IT. In addition, to foster home-based entrepreneurship among them, we will begin implementing the "Daromadli Ayol" ("Income for Women") program. This program, with the assistance of leading entrepreneurs, will create employment for 50,000 women in home-based work, handicrafts, poultry farming, beekeeping, and home gardening.
Furthermore, under the "Hamrokh" ("Support") program, 1 trillion soums will be allocated for the implementation of 3,000 women-led projects.
This year, we plan to provide income to 1.5 million women, and to attract 400,000 of them to business, for which over 25 trillion soums will be allocated.
Deputy Prime Ministers J. Kuchkarov and Z. Makhkamova, Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction B. Zohidov, Chairman of the Central Bank T. Ishmetov, and regional khokims are responsible for this work.
Dear compatriots!
Today, more than 904,000 women are studying in higher education institutions across the country, representing 54 percent of the total student population.
We are all, of course, delighted that last year, 60 of our women were admitted to the world's most prestigious universities. It is also noteworthy that 8,500, or 61 percent, of the research trainees and doctoral students are women.
The achievements of Indira Satniyazova from the Kegeyli district, Vazira Fayzullaeva from Bukhara, and Mashkhura Kudratova from Navoi, who are participating in today's event, are particularly noteworthy. The recognition of Dilafruz Zhuraboeva from the Buvaida district, winner of several international startup competitions, as its ambassador to Uzbekistan by the prestigious company Microsoft is also worthy of note.
Starting with the new academic year, we will double the number of quotas available to women and girls from needy families to receive state educational grants, up to 4,000.
The state will also cover the contract fee for female students pursuing master's programs through joint education with universities ranked in the top 300.
To support women's innovative ideas, startup competitions will now be held annually in at least 10 areas. The winner in each area will receive a grant of up to 500 million soums from the Innovation Fund.
Career training for girls who have completed 11th grade and are enrolled in state technical schools will be entirely funded by a state grant.
I believe these new conditions will open up great opportunities for our women and girls.
Dear friends!
Our strategic goal is to create an environment that is intolerant of harassment and violence against women and children.
This week, I signed an important decree. From now on, we will combat any manifestations of violence and harassment against women and children even more decisively, using a strict system.
I'd like to address one more issue. Currently, 2,589 women are serving sentences in penal institutions. These women, who committed crimes due to various circumstances, are also citizens of the country through ignorance. We must seriously consider their social rehabilitation and their ability to become full members of society.
Dear women!
The new Uzbekistan is confidently entering a new stage of its development. We have set ourselves the most important goals, the achievement of which will serve to ensure human well-being, honor, and dignity. After all, happiness begins in the family, and a family becomes strong first and foremost thanks to women. A worthy future generation can only be formed in such an environment.
Undoubtedly, in this regard, the spiritual and moral education of our girls is crucial. Thanks to the advice and guidance of their grandmothers and mothers, they develop such wonderful qualities as kindness, compassion, dignity, and integrity.
Girls raised in such families have always been role models for their peers through their diligent behavior, virtues, and outlook on life.
Today, good upbringing is more important than ever. In this regard, I would like to address all our honorable women who persevered through the most difficult trials and dedicated their lives entirely to their families and children.
It is no coincidence that we have declared 2026 the Year of Development of the Mahalla and Society. We all see how tense the situation in the world is becoming. In this difficult environment, we are even more deeply aware of the priceless treasure that peace and tranquility in our country are. Preserving them is the sacred duty of each of us.
I am confident that in these circumstances, our caring grandmothers and mothers, who bless our good deeds, will serve as role models for us in preserving peace and stability in the country and instilling in families, children, and grandchildren a sense of gratitude for this greatest blessing.
Dear women!
In recent years, together with you, with all our people, we have accomplished truly great things.
Through dedicated and conscientious work, we are achieving recognition and respect throughout the world. Most importantly, each sphere and industry is developing its own school of the New Uzbekistan.
Our most important task is to strengthen our unity and work even more closely together to achieve high goals in these challenging times.
My greatest dream is for the New Uzbekistan to become a country where women are satisfied with their lives, happy, and live in peace and prosperity.
I am confident that together with you—selfless, determined, and hardworking women—and together with all our people, we will surely achieve these noble goals.
In conclusion, I once again heartily congratulate the women of Uzbekistan on this wonderful upcoming holiday.
I wish you all health, happiness, peace, and prosperity to your families.
We have created a new system in the country for ensuring the rights and interests of women and addressing their problems. Legal mechanisms for gender-sensitive review of all laws, decrees, and resolutions have been introduced upon their adoption. From now on, no law will be adopted without an assessment of its impact on women's rights and interests.
As a result of the broad opportunities and conditions created in the country, a class of entrepreneurs has emerged, including approximately 230,000 women. 12,000 female farmers are actively working in agriculture, and more than 6,000 female scientists are making a significant contribution to the development of science. It is also worth noting that last year, our women won 167 gold, 193 silver, and 243 bronze medals in international sports arenas.
Such significant changes in the lives of our women are receiving recognition from the international community. Specifically, in the Inter-Parliamentary Union's "Women in Parliament" ranking, Uzbekistan climbed 92 spots to 36th place. In the Gender Equality and Governance Index, it rose from 103rd to 52nd place. In the World Bank's "Women, Business and the Law" report, it improved its position by 43 spots, ranking 48th.
Dear participants of the ceremony!
The issue of providing women with employment and income is always at the center of our attention. Last year, we allocated 23.5 trillion soums in loans to increase their employment and encourage entrepreneurship, resulting in more than 425,000 women finding employment and starting businesses.
For example, Nargiza Bekmuratova from the Yangiarik district, who employed 300 women in the textile industry, opened a second factory last year and created another 100 jobs. In 2025, she won the "Entrepreneur Who Created the Most Jobs for Women" award at an international competition in Ankara.
I consider these proactive women and girls to be the builders of the New Uzbekistan. And I am ready to support them in every way possible.
Therefore, this year, 166,000 women will be trained in modern professions and entrepreneurship, and another 100,000 in IT. In addition, to foster home-based entrepreneurship among them, we will begin implementing the "Daromadli Ayol" ("Income for Women") program. This program, with the assistance of leading entrepreneurs, will create employment for 50,000 women in home-based work, handicrafts, poultry farming, beekeeping, and home gardening.
Furthermore, under the "Hamrokh" ("Support") program, 1 trillion soums will be allocated for the implementation of 3,000 women-led projects.
This year, we plan to provide income to 1.5 million women, and to attract 400,000 of them to business, for which over 25 trillion soums will be allocated.
Deputy Prime Ministers J. Kuchkarov and Z. Makhkamova, Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction B. Zohidov, Chairman of the Central Bank T. Ishmetov, and regional khokims are responsible for this work.
Dear compatriots!
Today, more than 904,000 women are studying in higher education institutions across the country, representing 54 percent of the total student population.
We are all, of course, delighted that last year, 60 of our women were admitted to the world's most prestigious universities. It is also noteworthy that 8,500, or 61 percent, of the research trainees and doctoral students are women.
The achievements of Indira Satniyazova from the Kegeyli district, Vazira Fayzullaeva from Bukhara, and Mashkhura Kudratova from Navoi, who are participating in today's event, are particularly noteworthy. The recognition of Dilafruz Zhuraboeva from the Buvaida district, winner of several international startup competitions, as its ambassador to Uzbekistan by the prestigious company Microsoft is also worthy of note.
Starting with the new academic year, we will double the number of quotas available to women and girls from needy families to receive state educational grants, up to 4,000.
The state will also cover the contract fee for female students pursuing master's programs through joint education with universities ranked in the top 300.
To support women's innovative ideas, startup competitions will now be held annually in at least 10 areas. The winner in each area will receive a grant of up to 500 million soums from the Innovation Fund.
Career training for girls who have completed 11th grade and are enrolled in state technical schools will be entirely funded by a state grant.
I believe these new conditions will open up great opportunities for our women and girls.
Dear friends!
Our strategic goal is to create an environment that is intolerant of harassment and violence against women and children.
This week, I signed an important decree. From now on, we will combat any manifestations of violence and harassment against women and children even more decisively, using a strict system.
I'd like to address one more issue. Currently, 2,589 women are serving sentences in penal institutions. These women, who committed crimes due to various circumstances, are also citizens of the country through ignorance. We must seriously consider their social rehabilitation and their ability to become full members of society.
Dear women!
The new Uzbekistan is confidently entering a new stage of its development. We have set ourselves the most important goals, the achievement of which will serve to ensure human well-being, honor, and dignity. After all, happiness begins in the family, and a family becomes strong first and foremost thanks to women. A worthy future generation can only be formed in such an environment.
Undoubtedly, in this regard, the spiritual and moral education of our girls is crucial. Thanks to the advice and guidance of their grandmothers and mothers, they develop such wonderful qualities as kindness, compassion, dignity, and integrity.
Girls raised in such families have always been role models for their peers through their diligent behavior, virtues, and outlook on life.
Today, good upbringing is more important than ever. In this regard, I would like to address all our honorable women who persevered through the most difficult trials and dedicated their lives entirely to their families and children.
It is no coincidence that we have declared 2026 the Year of Development of the Mahalla and Society. We all see how tense the situation in the world is becoming. In this difficult environment, we are even more deeply aware of the priceless treasure that peace and tranquility in our country are. Preserving them is the sacred duty of each of us.
I am confident that in these circumstances, our caring grandmothers and mothers, who bless our good deeds, will serve as role models for us in preserving peace and stability in the country and instilling in families, children, and grandchildren a sense of gratitude for this greatest blessing.
Dear women!
In recent years, together with you, with all our people, we have accomplished truly great things.
Through dedicated and conscientious work, we are achieving recognition and respect throughout the world. Most importantly, each sphere and industry is developing its own school of the New Uzbekistan.
Our most important task is to strengthen our unity and work even more closely together to achieve high goals in these challenging times.
My greatest dream is for the New Uzbekistan to become a country where women are satisfied with their lives, happy, and live in peace and prosperity.
I am confident that together with you—selfless, determined, and hardworking women—and together with all our people, we will surely achieve these noble goals.
In conclusion, I once again heartily congratulate the women of Uzbekistan on this wonderful upcoming holiday.
I wish you all health, happiness, peace, and prosperity to your families.
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