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Tajikistan Seeks to Reduce the List of Prohibited Professions for Women

Tajikistan is taking steps to further reduce the list of professions prohibited for women, cutting the number from 334 to 194 in 2024. This initiative aims to expand women’s access to employment opportunities in industries previously deemed unsuitable. According to Shakhnoza Nodiri, Deputy Minister of Labor, Migration, and Employment of Tajikistan, the decision aligns with efforts to modernize production, automate processes, and enhance workplace safety, thereby making previously restricted jobs accessible to women. The list of banned professions was initially established to protect women’s health from the risks of heavy and hazardous work. However, it is increasingly viewed as a barrier to women’s professional growth. The recent changes are informed by international standards and the recommendations of the European Union, particularly to align with GSP+ preferences, which promote gender equality in the labor force. “By revising this list, we are enabling women to access new opportunities and strengthen their economic position,” Nodiri emphasized. Previously, the list included 336 prohibited professions, such as work in underground mines and other roles involving hazardous conditions. With advancements in technology, automation, and improved workplace conditions, 142 professions have been deemed safe for women. However, restrictions remain for roles involving particularly heavy or harmful work. Data from the Labor and Employment Agency show that in 2024, 29,296 women were employed, marking a 1.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This reflects growing opportunities for women in the labor market. The government plans to continue reducing the list of prohibited professions, aiming to allow women to participate fully in all sectors of the national economy. Article 216 of the Labor Code of Tajikistan prohibits women from working in heavy and underground industries. Employers who violate these regulations face administrative fines. Ongoing labor law reforms seek to strike a balance between safeguarding women’s health and ensuring their right to work. As Tajikistan modernizes its labor policies, the country moves closer to achieving a more inclusive and equitable workforce.

Cultural Heritage Central Asia Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Unveils Record-Breaking Collector Coin

The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan has unveiled the most expensive collector coin in its history - a gold coin titled “Aikol Manas.” The initiative aims to promote oral folk traditions and preserve the cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people. The coin was officially released on December 2. The National Bank emphasized the cultural significance of the epic Manas, which holds a central place in Kyrgyz's spiritual life and is recognized as a global masterpiece of oral folk art. The epic narrates the story of the legendary warrior Manas, who, through his courage and leadership, united the Kyrgyz tribes to secure independence and freedom for their native land. The coin's obverse features an intricate depiction of Manas in battle armor astride his horse, Akkula, set against the snowy peaks of the Ala-Too mountains. Above, the inscription “Aikol Manas” is engraved, with details of the gold's purity (Au 999) and weight (15.55g) on the right. At the bottom are the coin’s face value (200 KGS) and the symbol of the Kyrgyz currency. On the reverse, the coat of arms of the Kyrgyz Republic is framed by traditional national ornaments symbolizing Kyrgyz warriors. Along the circumference, the text “National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic” is engraved, with the year of issue, 2024, displayed at the bottom. The coin is an official means of payment in Kyrgyzstan, packaged in an acrylic capsule within a protective case and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Priced at 123,400 KGS ($1,420), it is available for purchase at the National Bank’s cash desks. Since gaining independence, Kyrgyzstan has issued several gold collector coins celebrating its cultural heritage. The first was released in 1995 to honor the 1,000th anniversary of the Manas epic. In 2015, the National Bank introduced the “Snow Leopard” coin, featuring diamond inlays. For the 30th anniversary of independence in 2021, a gold coin with a face value of 100 KGS was issued.

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Eurasian Creative Week in Scotland Celebrates International Art, Literature, and Cultural Exchange

The XIII Eurasian Creative Week took place in Greenock, Scotland, from November 28 to 30, 2024, drawing artists, writers, poets, and diplomats from 15 countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia, and Canada. Hosted at the Beacon Arts Centre, the event kicked off with the presentation of artwork from the renowned collection The Great Steppe Treasure, featuring creators such as Maria Muchinskaya and Larisa Pak. Attendees also enjoyed video messages from notable writers and public figures, fostering a spirit of collaboration and dialogue. The evening spotlighted author Alexander Kazarnovsky, who captivated the audience with readings from his acclaimed novel, War will show the plan. Continuing on November 29 at the OYO Gin House Hotel, the festival’s literary program showcased key publications by Hertfordshire Press, including Viktor Slipenchuk’s Zinziver. A highlight was the screening of an AI-created film based on Slipenchuk’s poem Chingis-Khan, which sparked discussions on historical and modern leadership. Meanwhile, OCA Magazine unveiled its special issue celebrating Uzbekistan’s vibrant Jizzakh region and key cultural figures. The day culminated in an award ceremony recognizing influential contributors, with honors like the Jonathan Fryer Medal and the Barbara Yurkowska-Nawrocka Medal celebrating efforts in literature and creative exchange. Notable award winners included Timur Akhmedjanov for his charity comic book, Elish and the Wicker Tale, and Marina Alyassova for her psychological fairy tales, Wise Tales for Children and Adults. Other honorees, such as Tajikistan’s Gulsifat Shahidi and Kazakhstan’s Alikhan Zhaksylyk, were recognized for their contributions to romance stories and innovative novels. A gala reception featured traditional dishes and a keynote speech emphasizing the importance of fostering international ties. The festival concluded on November 30 with a visit to the Watt Institution Museum, offering participants a glimpse into Scottish cultural heritage. Throughout the week, exhibits of national art and literature from countries like Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan exemplified Eurasia’s cultural diversity and creative potential. The XIII Eurasian Creative Week reaffirmed its role in strengthening international cultural collaboration.

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2025 Asian Youth Games Moved from Tashkent to Bahrain

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has announced that the 3rd edition of the Asian Youth Games in 2025, which had been due to be hosted in Tashkent, is to be moved to Bahrain. This decision was put down to some of the venues in the Uzbek capital being unready. Uzbekistan's National Olympic Committee (NOC) issued a statement explaining that the country had asked the OCA to postpone the competition for one year. There have been delays in the construction of the $289 million Olympic Campus due to post-pandemic constraints. However, the OCA refused the postponement because the 2025 Games are a selection stage for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. As a result, the event will now be hosted by Bahrain. The OCA recommended that Uzbekistan focus on preparations for other sporting events, such as the Islamic Solidarity Games or the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. "The construction of the Olympic City remains a key project for the development of sports in Uzbekistan. We intend to complete its construction on time and turn it into a base for major international competitions," the NOC said.

Uzbekistan Home Life & Culture Uzbekistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan and China Introduce Visa-Free Regime for 30 Days

The heads of the foreign ministries of Uzbekistan and China have signed an agreement which will allow citizens of both countries to travel without visas for up to 30 days. This was announced by Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. The document was signed December 1 in Chengdu during a business forum. Saidov emphasized that the agreement will be an important step towards strengthening bilateral ties, and developing trade and cultural exchange between the countries. The initiative to simplify the visa regime was discussed last spring during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state visit to China. Until now, Uzbeks had to obtain a visa to travel to China, while Chinese citizens from March 2021 could visit Uzbekistan without visas for up to 10 days. The date when the visa-free regime will come into effect will be announced later.

Central Asia Silk Road Treasures Uzbekistan Life & Culture Local Politics Uzbekistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan Local Politics

Archaeologists Uncover Rare Silk Road Artifacts in Uzbekistan

A joint archaeological expedition from China and Uzbekistan has made remarkable discoveries at Mengchaktepa, a key Silk Road site located on the northern bank of the Syr Darya River. Known as the “Living Fossil of the Silk Road,” the site has been under investigation by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Uzbekistan’s Institute of Archaeology since 2012. The team, led by CASS archaeologist Liu Tao, unearthed seven tombs, two buildings, and numerous artifacts, including silk fabrics, leather goods, bronze mirrors, square-holed coins, and beads. Among the most significant finds are silk fragments, the first such discovery in the region since 1986, which bridges a 40-year gap in the study of ancient silk in the Ferghana Valley. According to Liu, these silk fragments highlight the advanced weaving techniques of antiquity. Abdulhamidjon Anarbayev, a professor at Uzbekistan's National Center for Archaeology, praised the Chinese team’s contributions to advancing Uzbekistan’s field archaeology through modern excavation and preservation methods. He noted that the research underscores the high standards of Chinese archaeology globally. Mengchaktepa holds immense value for studying cultural connections along the Silk Road. Ancient Chinese chronicles from the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC–220 AD) describe how Zhang Qian, an emissary of the Western Han dynasty, established trade links between China and Central Asia. Through Dayuan, the ancient region corresponding to the modern Ferghana Valley, silk, paper, and Chinese technology reached Europe, while grapes and alfalfa were introduced to China. Excavations at Mengchaktepa have been ongoing since 1986. Early discoveries included nine cave tombs containing well-preserved remains, silk garments, and jewelry from the 5th to 8th centuries. This year, researchers are focusing on the necropolis’s scope, tomb structures, and their artifacts, with special attention to preserving organic materials like silk, leather, and reeds for laboratory analysis. Liu explained that the findings provide new insights into the region’s early medieval funerary practices, belief systems, and architectural traditions. Artifacts such as Han-style objects and relics linked to Zoroastrianism affirm Mengchaktepa’s pivotal role in East-West cultural exchanges along the Silk Road.