Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 29 January, the Human Rights House in Tashkent hosted the presentation of the book "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women," published in Uzbek, Karakalpak, English, and Russian. The event was organized by the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The presentation was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women on September 15, 1995, and the 45th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Opening the event, Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, highlighted that during the 57th plenary session of the UN Human Rights Council, held from 9 September to 11 October 2024, a resolution was adopted on "Measures for Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action." These international documents strengthen the obligations of all states to ensure, promote, and protect women’s human rights on an equal footing.

The presentation was attended by Malika Kadirkhanova, a senator working in the Senate Committee on Youth, Women, Culture, and Sports, and Gulrukh Agzamova, Chairperson of the Committee on Democratic Institutions and Civil Society Development of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

This year marks the widespread celebration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, internationally recognized legal documents that significantly contributed to the advancement of gender equality, women’s rights, and the protection of women’s legal interests worldwide.

Meanwhile, last year saw the widespread celebration of the 45th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s ratification of the Convention. The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 brought attention to the task of preparing an international document dedicated to gender equality and the rights of women.

Following the adoption of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women by the UN General Assembly in 1967, the international community recognized the need for a comprehensive international agreement on women’s rights. Consequently, the 1975 UN World Conference on Women in Mexico proclaimed the "Decade for Women" (1975–1985), which led to the drafting of the Convention, adopted by UN Resolution 34/180 on December 18, 1979, and entered into force on September 3, 1981, after being ratified by twenty countries. Sweden was the first country to sign the document.

The CEDAW Convention is considered international law, addressing civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights of women. It is one of the nine core UN human rights conventions and reflects the consensus of the international community on women’s rights.

In 1981, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was established. The committee reviews the implementation of key provisions of the Convention and offers recommendations on their content and application. These recommendations help participating countries strengthen their national legislative frameworks to achieve gender equality and ensure women’s rights.

As of today, 189 countries have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Uzbekistan ratified the Convention in 1995.

The core principles and provisions of the Convention are reflected in Uzbekistan’s national legislation, and more importantly, in the newly revised Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted through a nationwide referendum in April 2023. Articles 42 and 58 of the Constitution address the prevention of violations of women’s labor rights, the creation of decent living and working conditions for women, and ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women in all spheres of society.

Currently, more than 40 regulatory documents have been adopted in Uzbekistan to comprehensively safeguard the rights and interests of women, including new laws on "Guaranteeing Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men," "Protecting Women from Harassment and Violence," and "Protecting the Reproductive Health of Citizens."

In addition, the "Uzbekistan-2030" Strategy, the National Human Rights Strategy, and the Gender Equality Strategy in Uzbekistan through 2030 are being implemented. The adoption of national sustainable development goals has significantly strengthened the legal framework for achieving gender equality and ensuring women’s rights.

A special mechanism has been established in Uzbekistan for the implementation of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women based on periodic reports. All executive branch authorities actively participate in the practical implementation of this mechanism.

Uzbekistan’s active efforts to expand women’s participation in public and political life are yielding results. For example, the proportion of women in state administration has increased to 35%. Women now make up 38% of newly elected deputies of the Legislative Chamber and 27% of the members of the Senate.

The number of women entrepreneurs has increased by 37%. Hundreds of thousands of women have undergone training in professions and entrepreneurship. The number of female students in higher education institutions has increased sixfold, with more than half of all students being women.

The Central Asian Women’s Leaders Dialogue, organized in December 2020, serves as an informal regional platform to support women in the region. Uzbekistan was the first country to chair this Dialogue in 2021.

Another important aspect is that Uzbekistan’s achievements in gender equality have been recognized by the UN, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the World Bank, as reflected in international indices. In 2024, Uzbekistan scored 72.8 points on the Gender Equality and Governance Index, moving up 51 positions from 103rd place in 2022 to 52nd place.

Additionally, last year Uzbekistan rose by 48 positions on the World Bank’s "Women, Business, and Law" index, ranking 91st out of 190 countries. Uzbekistan has been recognized as one of the five countries with the most significant achievements in women’s rights and gender equality.

This year, Uzbekistan, like all developing countries worldwide, is widely celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In this context, the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, together with relevant ministries, departments, and organizations, has begun holding various events.

The presentation of the new publication, organized at the Human Rights House, is the first such event. The new book, aimed at government officials, international organizations, lawyers, researchers, students, and all readers interested in gender equality, presents the text of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in four languages.

Experts who spoke at the presentation emphasized that human rights reforms in the new Uzbekistan are being conducted on a firm, consistent, and integrated basis, and acknowledged that the effective efforts in this area enjoy wide support at the national, regional, and international levels.