President Mirziyoyev Signs Decree to Enhance Protection of Women and Children

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 3 reviewed a set of proposals and new initiatives aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of women and children in Uzbekistan, with a particular focus on preventing harassment and violence.

According to official reports, the Uzbek government has consistently prioritized efforts to prevent early marriages, early childbirth and violence against women and children as part of broader initiatives to strengthen family institutions and promote a healthy social environment. These issues have been discussed repeatedly at the highest levels of government, with specific responsibilities assigned to law enforcement agencies and other relevant departments.

To further coordinate national efforts, an interdepartmental council was established to develop practical recommendations in a short timeframe. During the presentation, the council reviewed initiatives prepared on the basis of public proposals, expert recommendations and international best practices.

Among the key proposals discussed were stricter penalties for sexual harassment, including the introduction of administrative detention of up to five days, and harsher punishment for pedophilia, which could carry a sentence of life imprisonment. Additional measures include preventing individuals convicted of sexual crimes against minors under Articles 118 and 119 of the Criminal Code from being transferred to penal colonies.

The proposals also include transferring investigative authority for certain sexual crimes from internal affairs bodies to the prosecutor’s office, as well as requiring a prosecutor’s decision confirming the absence of criminal elements when handling administrative cases related to sexual harassment.

Authorities also proposed involving specially trained lawyers, investigators and judges in handling cases involving violence against women and children to ensure more professional and sensitive investigations.

To improve protection for victims of violence, officials suggested installing a special “SOS” mobile application for women who have received protection orders. When the panic button is activated, law enforcement officers within a five-kilometer radius will respond within ten minutes.

The initiatives also address early marriage, noting that around 40 percent of marriages in Uzbekistan involve individuals aged 18 to 19, while international recommendations consider 21 years as a more suitable age for marriage due to greater financial independence and social maturity.

To address this issue, proposals include introducing financial support mechanisms encouraging marriage after the age of 21, providing tax incentives for prenuptial agreements, and strengthening the detection of early marriages by offering 15 percent of fines collected for violations to individuals who report such cases.

Further measures include establishing an interdepartmental notification system to alert authorities and social service centers about early marriages or pregnancies under the age of 16, along with administrative liability for concealing such incidents.

Additionally, the initiatives aim to support female students by allowing those who are pregnant or raising children under the age of three to continue their education, helping prevent them from dropping out.

After reviewing the proposals, President Mirziyoyev approved the initiatives and signed the relevant decree, instructing responsible authorities to ensure broad public awareness and effective implementation of the new measures.