U Z B E K I S T A N Located to the south of Kazakhstan in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a mostly desert country with a midlatitude climate. Its area is 447,400 square kilometers, and it borders Turkmenistan and Tadjikistan in the south and Kyrgyzstan in the east. At present, 20 percent of Uzbekistan's land is cultivated, and it is the world's third largest cotton exporter. In addition to cotton, livestock, vegetables, fruit and grain are harvested. It is also a major producer of gold and natural gas. Since independence, the government has sought to prop up the Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on prices and production. Such policies have buffered the economy from the sharp declines in output and high inflation experienced by many other former Soviet republics. By late 1993, however, they had become increasingly unsustainable as inflation soared and the Uzbek Government introduced its own currency. The government has since increased its cooperation with international financial institutions. Government: Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 31, 1991. The President, Islam Karimov, is also the chairman of the People's Democratic Party, formerly the Communist Party. Its legislative branch is unicameral, and administrative center is Tashkent. Population: 22,608,866 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.13% Birth rate: 30.01 births/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: 53.2 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: general, 68.58 years female, 72.04 years male, 65.28 years Fertility rate: 3.73 children born/woman Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write Male: 100% Female: 100% Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71.4%; Russian 8.3%; Tajik 4.7%; Kazakh 4.1% Religions: Muslim 88% (be consistent); Eastern Orthodox 9% |
Directory of Women's Organizations in Uzbekistan
Government Organizations: |
Name of agency: | |
Status: |
Government agency |
Head of agency: |
Mrs. D. Goulyamova Deputy Prime Minister on women's issues Chairperson of Women's Committee |
Address: |
1 Furkat St., Room 406, Tashkent, 700027, Republic of Uzbekistan Tel: 73712) 45-18-67 7(3712) 45-85-51 Fax: 7(3712) 44-26-61 |
Legislative authority/national policies with regard to establishment and operation of the agency: |
The Women's Committee is responsible for implementing and coordinating government policies on social welfare and women development to enable them to become economically independent. |
Year and background of establishment: |
1994 |
Organizational structure: |
3,000,000 members Has branches in each oblast and provinces as well in Karakalpakstan |
Objectives and functions: |
* To improve the status of women in Uzbekistan by coordinating the development and implementation of government policies and programs. Identifying emerging issues of importance to women. * To cover a broad range of issues including care, employment, education, legal rights, violence against women, health, etc. * To deliver policy advice on women's interests to the government of Uzbekistan. * To promote, establish, undertake and manage plans for the welfare of women and families. * Legal strengthening: to study and join international instruments, improve legal literacy of Uzbek women and help them fully exercise their rights. * To strengthen the policy on women's health issues, to enhance and improve the health of women especially in Karakalpakstan (Aral Sea basin). * To improve women's entrepreneurial activity. * To link international, regional and national women's organizations. |
Budget: |
n.a. |
Staff: |
n.a. |
Plans/major programmes: |
n.a. |
Serials (newsletter, journals, bulletins): |
n.a. |
Recent major monographic publications: |
n.a. |
Name of organization: | |
Address: |
41 Pr. Kosmonavtov, Tashkent, 700015, Republic of Uzbekistan Tel: 7(3712) 56-65-78 Fax: 7(3712) 56-81-58 |
Status: |
Non-governmental organization (NGO) |
Name and position of the person to contact: |
Dildor Alimbekova, President |
Year of establishment: |
1991 Registered by Ministry of Justice |
Membership: |
3000 members in Samarkand, Kokand, and Bukhara. |
Geographical coverage: |
Regional |
Sources of financing: |
n.a. |
Aims and objectives: |
* To assist and secure women's businesses. * Organize training for women in development of their knowledge in management and marketing. * To raise loans for its entrepreneurs in order to develop women's entrepreneurial activities. * To link governmental and non governmental organizations both in CIS and abroad. |
Fields of activity: |
* Increase women's income in transition period and lobby on behalf of their property and business interests. * Expand vocational skill development facilities for women, especially in non-traditional areas. * Expand credit facilities for women to enable them to take up self-employment both in rural and urban areas. |
Gender projects and programs: |
n.a. |
Publications: |
none |
Staff: |
n.a. |
Budget: |
n.a. |
Plans and main projects: |
n.a. |
Name of organization: | |||
Address: |
73 Khodjaev St., Kokand, Fergana Oblast, Republic of Uzbekistan Tel: 7(3732) 23-25-82 | ||
Status: |
Non-governmental organization (NGO) | ||
Name and position of the person to contact: |
Ergasheva, Chairman of Board | ||
Year of establishment: |
1991 | ||
Membership: |
157 total members | ||
Geographical coverage: |
Local | ||
Sources of financing: |
Members' contributions, sponsorship | ||
Aims and objectives: |
* Assistance to business women. * Legal support to women. * Assistance to women artisans * Small businesses creation | ||
Fields of activity: |
* Social welfare * Employment * Education/literacy/skill training | ||
Gender projects and programs: |
n.a. | ||
Publications: |
none | ||
Staff: |
total 7 managerial professional clerical support |
women 7 |
men |
Budget: |
n.a. | ||
Plans and main projects: |
* Business training to rural women. |
Name of organization: | |
Address: |
1 Furkat Street, Tashkent, 700027, Republic of Uzbekistan |
Status: |
Non-governmental organization (NGO) |
Name and position of the person to contact: |
Dr.Saira Rashidova, Chairperson |
Year of establishment: |
1992 |
Membership: |
Has branches in Samarkand, Jizzak, Andijan, Fergana, Namangan |
Geographical coverage: |
National |
Sources of financing: |
n.a. |
Aims and objectives: |
* To encourage women scholars to take active part in solution of economic, social, cultural and legal problems of society. * To assist women scholars to use their knowledge for the improvement of living conditions of women. * To create awareness among women in all spheres of life. * Matters relating to women's legal and social rights. |
Fields of activity: |
n.a. |
Gender projects and programs: |
n.a. |
Publications: |
none |
Staff: |
n.a. |
Budget: |
n.a. |
Plan and main projects: |
n.a. |
Name of organization: |
"PERZENT" KARAKALPAK CENTER OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION AND FAMILY PLANNING |
Address: |
P.O.Box 27, Nukus-12, 742012, Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan Tel: 7(36122) 75-51-17 Fax: 7 095 251-7617 |
Status: |
Non-governmental organization (NGO) |
Name and position of the person to contact: |
Dr.Oral Ataniyazova, Director |
Year of establishment: |
1995 |
Membership: |
n.a. |
Geographical coverage: |
Regional |
Sources of financing: |
n.a. |
Aims and objectives: |
* Support and investigate ecological influence on the health of women and children. * To conduct events in order to improve women's and children's knowledge about ecology, hygiene, family planning issues and publish booklets and leaflets. * To provide high quality medical aid in family planning issues and charity activities. * Creation of Information Center to link with international and national organizations. |
Fields of activity: |
n.a. |
Gender projects and programs: |
n.a. |
Publications: |
none |
Staff: |
n.a. |
Budget: |
n.a. |
Plans and main projects: |
n.a. |
Name of organization: | |||
Address: |
11 Abdulla Kadiri, Tashkent, 700011, Republic of Uzbekistan Tel: 7(3712) 41-71-03 Fax: (3712) 41-21-49 | ||
Status: |
Non-governmental organization (NGO) | ||
Name and position of the person to contact: |
Mrs. Pirnazarova, Chairperson | ||
Year of establishment: |
1995 Registered in local authority | ||
Membership: |
12 total members | ||
Geographical coverage: |
Local | ||
Sources of financing: |
n.a. | ||
Aims and objectives: |
* Disseminate information * Foster enlightenment * Support the initiatives of individuals * Provide a forum for cooperation | ||
Fields of activity: |
* Raising awareness regarding the tremendous problems confronting women. * Broadening women's own consciousness and awareness of current global trends. * Promoting women's identity as a social group. | ||
Gender projects and programs: |
n.a. | ||
Publications: |
none | ||
Staff: |
total 12 managerial professional clerical support |
women 3 9 |
men |
Budget: |
n.a. | ||
Plans and main projects: |
n.a. |