This was discussed at the roundtable in Tashkent “Actual issues of increasing public-political activity, legal culture of women”. Institute for Studying Civil Society hosted the event.

MPs of Legislative Chamber, Uzbekistan Central Election Commission, Adolat party members, scientists and experts participated at the event.

It was noted that Constitution of Uzbekistan and over 80 laws and by-laws, which makes up legal base for protection rights, freedoms and interests of women.

Laws of Uzbekistan ensure equal access to women and men to public service, participation in state and public affairs at all levels.

Women in Uzbekistan have right to vote in elections and referendums, as well as to be elected to all election bodies, participate in implementation state policy and hold public posts. They can also participate in activities of NGOs and Associations.

Half of population of Uzbekistan is women and they actively participate in election campaigns as voters and candidates. At the presidential elections in December 2007, about 40.9% of election commission members and 20% of regional election commissions were women.

The roundtable participant said that 2009 elections to parliament, regional and city Deputies’ Council was one of important events. Uzbekistan introduced norms, which require that at least 30% of candidates to MPs from political parties should be women.

After 2004 elections, 21 women (18% from total seats) became MPs of Legislative Chamber and 15 women (15%) became members of Senate. In 1999, there were only 12 women MPs in the Uzbek parliament.

Implementation of the norm in 2009 elections allowed to increase number of women in lower house of parliament to 33 (22%) and in upper house – 15. Currently, 20% of total number of deputies in local representative bodies is women.

The participants underlined that the quota for women cannot fully solve problem on number of women in parliament or local representative bodies. It was said that it is necessary to train enough number of women, who can professionally work in legislative bodies.