Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 25 November, Uzbekistan officially launched the global campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" with a high-level roundtable titled "National Experience in Cross-Sectoral Response to Violence Against Women and Children: Lessons and Achievements."

The event, held in Tashkent, was organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the National Agency for Social Protection (NASP) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and supported by the Government of the United Kingdom. 

The Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis, Tanzila Narbayeva, opened the roundtable with a keynote address.

"We are conducting extensive advocacy and educational efforts among the population. While physical violence has always been recognized, issues such as economic and psychological violence were not reflected in our legal framework. These concepts have now been introduced, and explanatory work is being carried out with employers and families," Narbayeva noted. 

The "16 Days of Activism" campaign, which runs annually from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, highlights the global need to address violence against women as one of the most widespread human rights violations. 

The roundtable brought together representatives from government agencies, international organizations, and civil society to discuss challenges, achievements, and future strategies in combating gender-based violence and improving child protection systems in Uzbekistan. 

Key topics of discussion included lessons learned from Uzbekistan’s cross-sectoral response efforts, recent legislative advancements in child protection, and the importance of a comprehensive approach to tackling violence against women and children. Notably, the launch of a national study on the prevalence of gender-based violence was announced. The study’s findings are expected to provide critical data for shaping future policies and response measures. 

UNFPA Representative in Uzbekistan, Nigina Abaszada, emphasized the importance of collective efforts in addressing gender-based violence. "The launch of the ‘16 Days’ campaign reaffirms our commitment to eradicating violence against women and children. Collaborative, evidence-based approaches enriched by shared experiences are key to building a safer and more equitable society," she said. 

During the discussions, participants highlighted achievements such as the adoption of the Law "On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence" and the expansion of social services for survivors of gender-based violence. Mansurbek Olloyorov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan and Director of the National Agency for Social Protection, underlined the importance of ongoing reforms.

"Uzbekistan is at a pivotal stage of strengthening its social protection system. By aligning the reforms initiated by the President of Uzbekistan with practical and inclusive solutions, we can achieve sustainable change," he stated. 

The speeches underscored the need for inter-agency coordination, inclusive service delivery, and community engagement. Women’s organizations, law enforcement, and social protection services were recognized as key actors in the national response system. 

The event concluded with all stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to cooperation in preventing violence and supporting survivors. 

A closing video featuring Diyora Keldiyarova, a gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics and representative of the National Agency for Social Protection in combating gender inequality and violence against women and children, highlighted the personal and societal significance of the issue. It called for collective action to create a world free from violence. 

The "16 Days of Activism" campaign in Uzbekistan will continue with a series of events aimed at raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and mobilizing efforts to combat gender-based violence across the country.