At the beginning of the event, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, delivered a speech, sincerely congratulating our dear mothers and beloved sisters. He emphasized that ensuring the full protection of women's rights and interests, and valuing their dignity, holds a leading place in our state policy.
Particularly, if in 2017, women constituted an average of 20 percent of the workforce in management, this figure has now reached 35 percent. Women make up 38 percent of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, and 27 percent of the members of the Senate.
This is positively affecting the development of our society. Most importantly, intelligent, knowledgeable, and talented women are setting an example in all areas of the state and society.
Last year, our female athletes won 3 gold, 8 silver, and 3 bronze medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the field of culture and arts, 25 women achieved high status in prestigious international competitions, and 71 talented girls won in national contests.
Our President paid special attention to easing women's burdens, creating additional conditions for them.
– It would be correct to say that women, who are getting an education, working, and engaging in entrepreneurship in addition to household chores and childrearing, are the real heroes of our times. In New Uzbekistan, easing the burdens of women, and creating necessary conditions for them in all areas, will always remain one of the most priority directions of state policy, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Therefore, in line with the social state principles of our renewed Constitution, social protection of women is being organized anew. This year, 162,000 women with disabilities will be provided with sanatorium, hospital treatment, and medical care in their locality, 130,000 women who have lost their breadwinner will receive financial support, housing conditions of another 6,000 will be improved, and employable women will be offered jobs.
Additionally, every year 50,000 women who find themselves in difficult situations will be sent to picturesque places of our country for education and rest.
The health of women – is the foundation of a thoroughly healthy and powerful society. For this purpose, 230 maternity institutions will be equipped with 21,000 pieces of the most modern medical equipment. Moreover, this year screenings will be carried out for 1.5 million women for early detection of cancer diseases.
It was emphasized once again that a girl's education benefits the entire family. If a family is educated and enlightened, the consciousness and cultural level of society will also rise.
More than 52 percent of students are women, which can be considered a practical result of this noble idea. Last year alone, nearly 15,000 female graduate students were provided with contracts worth close to 100 billion UZS.
Currently, more than 6,200 women are engaged in scientific activities, and female scientists produce 25 percent of scientific developments, which indicates the strengthening role of women in society.
Every girl in every family will continue to be fully covered by kindergarten and school education, modern professions, and foreign languages, and will have access to higher education. Particularly this year, 250,000 girls will be included in higher education, which is 3.5 times more than in 2017. Another 250,000 women will be trained in professions and entrepreneurship. Within the framework of the "Bright Future" project, at least 200 girls will be sent annually to study at prestigious universities in the world.
Our state leader paid particular attention to ensuring women's employment and their involvement in entrepreneurship.
As a practical step in this direction, he proposed the establishment of a Council of Women Entrepreneurs under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This council will have the authority to directly address the parliament with real-life problems that female entrepreneurs face on the ground.
This year, an additional 3.3 trillion UZS will be allocated for women's entrepreneurship projects in neighborhoods. Specifically, another $100 million will be provided within the framework of family entrepreneurship programs. In addition, commercial banks will attract another $100 million and provide unsecured loans of up to 50 million UZS to self-employed women in neighborhoods.
As stated, a new four-stage system for the development of women's entrepreneurship will be implemented.
In the first stage, 20,000 women interested in business but lacking skills will be trained in entrepreneurship. In the second stage, 100,000 self-employed women will be supported to become small entrepreneurs. In the third stage, the "Hamroh" company will be responsible for upgrading two small enterprises per district to the level of exemplary medium businesses. In the fourth stage, the most active 50 female entrepreneurs will be transformed into "champion entrepreneurs" with an annual turnover exceeding 100 billion UZS.
In general, this year it is planned to ensure the employment of 2 million women through vocational training, job creation, and the development of entrepreneurship.
– We are setting extremely grand goals across all fields and directions. Achieving them relies on nurturing and maturing a capable generation, which is in your hands, dear mothers, – stated the head of state.
Based on the decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated March 3 of this year, 28 girls were awarded the Zulfiya State Prize; pursuant to the decree of March 4, a group of women who achieved significant results in labor activities and public services were decorated with orders and medals. These high awards were ceremoniously presented during the event.
At the end of the ceremony, Shavkat Mirziyoyev once again congratulated the women on behalf of our people and expressed his best wishes.
– I wish all of you good health, peace and safety to your homes, and the greatest wealth in the world – family happiness and prosperity. May you always be cherished by your children and relatives, and by our people, – said the President.
A celebratory concert was held at the «Uzbekistan» convention center as part of the festivities.
