In a speech on August 5, Saida Mirziyoyeva, assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, addressed critical issues concerning women's rights and regional cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Speaking with conviction, she emphasized the importance of laws against domestic violence and the shared responsibilities and challenges faced by both nations.
Mirziyoyeva highlighted the notable strides made in advancing women's rights in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. She reflected on the past when discussing women's rights was often considered taboo.
"Women's rights... It used to be considered a shame to talk about it. We have kept silent about domestic and economic violence and abuse. Women did not have the opportunity to defend themselves. Society blamed them in every situation. 'Shame!' - that was the only answer," she stated.
She acknowledged the legislative progress both countries have made in addressing domestic violence.
"Today, laws against domestic violence have been adopted in both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and this is our common achievement!"
Mirziyoyeva underscored that the achievements and issues of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are intertwined, necessitating joint efforts for resolution.
"However, there are still many problems that we cannot solve alone. We have one common sea that is drying up, one common air for all of us, one Syr Darya. Before us are tasks such as strengthening regional security, developing our national languages, preserving national identity, fighting false news and disinformation," she elaborated.
She emphasized the importance of addressing environmental and security concerns collaboratively, as these issues transcend national borders and impact the entire region.
Mirziyoyeva also shed light on the transformative educational reforms in Uzbekistan. She recounted the difficult times when educational institutions were closed every fall to compel teachers, students, and pupils to harvest cotton, leading to widespread illiteracy.
"Even 7 years ago, schools and institutes were closed every fall in Uzbekistan. Teachers, students and pupils were forced to go to the fields and harvest cotton. A whole generation became illiterate. However, we ended hundred years of cotton slavery! Millions of students have been returned to educational institutions," she declared.
This important shift marks a new era in Uzbekistan's educational landscape, focusing on providing uninterrupted education and ending the exploitative practice of forced labor in the cotton fields.
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