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Justice

Mirziyoyev: Violence Against Women and Children Will Not Be Tolerated in Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced tougher measures against violence toward women and children, and unveiled new economic and education programs aimed at expanding opportunities for women across Uzbekistan. Speaking on March 6 at a ceremony in Tashkent marking International Women’s Day, the president referred to a decree he signed on March 3 that strengthens the country’s response to domestic violence. According to remarks reported by Uzbek media and the presidential press service, the decree introduces a stricter system for addressing harassment and violence against women and minors. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan has adopted the creation of an uncompromising environment against violence as a strategic goal. “Anyone who raises a hand against women or children will either leave Uzbekistan or be forced to live according to the law,” he said during the event held at the Kuksaroy residence. Mirziyoyev also stated that the decree includes tougher penalties for certain crimes against minors. According to his remarks, in some cases crimes involving pedophilia will now carry life imprisonment. He noted that legal experts had raised objections during discussions but said he insisted on including the punishment in the decree. In addition to legal measures, Mirziyoyev outlined several initiatives focused on education, employment, and rehabilitation programs for women. According to statements made during the event, women serving sentences in correctional facilities will be given the opportunity to apply to universities and study remotely. Officials said many female inmates currently have only secondary education and lack professional skills, while some have expressed interest in pursuing higher education. To address this, the government plans to launch a program called “New Life,” which will provide vocational training for women in prisons. Participants will study for three to six months in professional training programs and receive certificates. Those who wish to enter universities will be able to take entrance exams inside correctional institutions. Women admitted to universities on a contract basis will be eligible for interest-free loans, repayable after completing their sentences and securing employment. The government also plans to expand economic support for women nationwide. According to Mirziyoyev's speech, 166,000 women will receive training in modern professions and entrepreneurship this year, while another 100,000 will study information technology skills. A separate initiative called “Daromadli Ayol” (“Profitable Woman”) will support home-based businesses. With the help of experienced entrepreneurs, the program aims to create employment for 50,000 women in areas such as handicrafts, poultry farming, beekeeping, and household agriculture. Officials also said that under the “Hamroh” program, around 1 trillion UZS (about $82,440,000) will be allocated to finance 3,000 business projects led by women. Overall, the government aims to help 1.5 million women generate income this year, including 400,000 who are expected to enter business activities. More than 25 trillion UZS (about $2,060,950,000) in financial resources will be directed toward these initiatives.

Children's Rights

Tajikistan Teacher-Student Assault Case Referred to Court

The case of a teacher accused of assaulting a student, which sparked significant public debate in Tajikistan, has been formally referred to court. The Ministry of Education and Science has stated it will not abandon the teacher and will continue to monitor developments closely. The criminal case involves Farkhod Nazarov, a teacher accused of slapping an 11th-grade student. The case has been transferred to the Levakant City Court. In an interview with Asia-Plus, Nazarov confirmed that he has reviewed the case materials at the prosecutor’s office. “They gave me the case file, and I read it. The sequence of events was laid out clearly, and the staff were professional. They said the case would be sent to court,” Nazarov said. While a court date has not been set, the hearing is expected to take place in November. Nazarov has not yet hired legal representation. Unofficial sources report that the case falls under Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, “Failure to fulfill obligations to educate and raise a minor.” The article carries penalties ranging from a fine of $5,672 to $8,103 or imprisonment for one to two years. “Yes, I admit that I hit the student, but it was not without reason. I simply do not have the means to pay the fine,” Nazarov previously stated. The family of the student involved, Mehmed Bozorov, has not responded to media inquiries and has yet to comment on the case’s transfer to court. The Ministry of Education and Science has confirmed that Minister Rakhim Saidzoda is personally overseeing the case. The ministry emphasized that while it is not interfering in the judicial process, it will continue to support Nazarov. The incident drew national attention after a video surfaced on social media on September 30, showing Bozorov losing consciousness. According to Bozorov, the incident occurred on September 6 at School No. 4 in the village of Bokhturobod. He claims he was struck on the back of the head by the teacher and subsequently hospitalized for two weeks. The Levakant education department has presented a different account, stating that Bozorov had shown disrespect, provoking an emotional reaction from the teacher. The department also reported that no serious injuries were documented. The case has generated widespread public discourse, with many teachers and public figures voicing support for Nazarov and calling for a systemic review of student-teacher relations in Tajikistan’s schools.

Marriage

The Pressure of Tradition: Why Child Marriage Persists in Tajikistan

Although the legal age for marriage in Tajikistan is 18, courts may grant permission for girls to marry at 17 under “exceptional circumstances.” In reality, however, girls are often married off at even younger ages. Parents routinely petition courts with emotional appeals, citing poverty, orphanhood, or the wishes of elderly relatives, to secure early marriages for their daughters. Legal Loopholes and Judicial Discretion As explained by lawyers from PRO BONO DE JURE, applicants must justify their request to lower the marriage age and provide supporting evidence. Yet the law offers no clear definition of what qualifies as “exceptional,” leaving judges broad discretionary power. In practice, economic hardship is the most common justification. Sociologist Gulnora Beknazarova, who reviewed approximately 550 court cases on underage marriage, found that only one involved a couple in love. “The rest were applications from poor families or guardians claiming they couldn’t afford to care for the girl,” she said. In some instances, judges have approved marriages simply because wedding plans were already in motion and the bride’s age came to light only during registration. “These cases account for just 3%,” noted gender researcher Diana Ismailova, “but their very existence highlights a troubling precedent.” Social Pressures and Family Expectations In rural communities, many mothers fear their adolescent daughters may come under “bad influences” and lose their virginity before marriage. “After ninth grade, girls are impossible to control... they ruin their future,” said one woman who arranged her daughter’s marriage at 16, as quoted by Your.tj. Elder family members also play a significant role. In traditional Tajik households, their wishes often carry the weight of law. For some, marrying off a granddaughter is a final wish, one that younger family members feel obligated to fulfill. According to Beknazarova, societal expectations enforce a rigid timeline for girls. “There’s a ‘social clock’ that ticks faster for them. If a woman isn’t married by 22, she risks being labeled an ‘old maid,’” she explained. In contrast, men face far less societal pressure regarding marriage age. “Marriage at 16 isn’t rare,” she added. “Even if not officially registered until 18, society still views it as normal.” Cultural Norms vs. Practical Realities Early marriages are often poorly considered. Parents seldom ask: “What if she divorces?” or “How will she support herself?” Divorce rates are rising, but it is typically the woman who ends up raising the children alone. Beknazarova attributes these decisions to a traditional mindset in which a girl’s path is predetermined: marriage and motherhood. “You marry off your daughter because it’s time, because that’s what everyone does,” she said. Still, change is slowly taking root. In 2024, amendments to Tajikistan’s Education Act made schooling through grades 10-11 compulsory. More girls are completing their education, and awareness efforts by government and civil society groups are helping shift attitudes around women’s rights. “Young people are already thinking differently,” Beknazarova said. “And life will sort everything out in time.”

Domestic Violence

Kazakhstan’s Domestic Violence Law Brings Progress Amid Ongoing Challenges

Crimes against women and children have declined over the past year in Kazakhstan, a trend attributed to a sweeping new law on domestic violence. Despite these gains, authorities caution that women and children remain at significant risk from abuse. Persistent Challenge On June 16, 2024, Kazakhstan's Law on Ensuring the Rights of Women and the Safety of Children came into force, having been signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev two months earlier. Since the outset of his presidency, Tokayev has identified combating domestic violence as a top policy priority. Children’s Ombudsman Dinara Zakieva reported that roughly 900 crimes against the sexual integrity of minors are recorded annually. Since the law’s enactment, at least 25 individuals convicted of sexual violence against children have received life sentences. Meanwhile, according to Marat Abishev of the General Prosecutor’s Office, at least 80 women die from domestic violence each year. Law enforcement officials stress that official statistics significantly underreport the true extent of domestic abuse. Surveys suggest that one in three women in Kazakhstan has experienced physical violence, threats, or psychological pressure. The new law has introduced tougher criminal penalties for domestic abuse, as well as protective and preventative mechanisms. Amendments to the Criminal Code now bar lenient sentences for crimes involving violence against minors and prohibit reconciliation between victims and perpetrators in such cases. The sole punishment for the murder or rape of a minor is now life imprisonment. The law also establishes liability for the sexual harassment of persons under 16 and introduces penalties for inciting or abetting suicide. Initial Results State Secretary Yerlan Karin recently shared data showing early progress under the new legislation. In the first five months of 2025, reports of domestic violence dropped by 20.5% compared to the same period in 2024. The number of serious domestic crimes fell by 29%, while particularly serious offenses declined by 44%. Crimes against the sexual integrity of minors decreased by 21.3%, and pedophilia-related offenses dropped by 40.7%. Karin noted that crimes against women have halved over the past five years, crediting stricter penalties and improved prevention efforts for the amelioration. He also highlighted a rise in the detection of domestic violence cases, facilitated by a new mechanism allowing authorities to launch investigations without a complaint from the victim. Between January and May 2025, more than 19,000 such cases were identified through mobile patrol units, police reports, witness statements, and social media monitoring. To improve reporting mechanisms, QR codes for the national 111 contact center are now displayed in schools. This has led to a spike in outreach: in the first five months of 2025, children sent more than 86,000 messages, with over 2,000 seeking help for violence or bullying. In 28 cases, potential suicides were prevented. Adults also placed over 62,000 calls to the center, many concerning domestic violence. Kazakhstan currently operates 20 psychological support centers and family support services in 112 districts and cities. A new prevention initiative, mandatory psychological counseling for aggressors, was introduced this year, with courts ordering 52 individuals...

Health

Unvaccinated Children Barred from First Grade in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education has announced that children who are not vaccinated will not be admitted to first grade, amid a worsening measles outbreak in the country. Deputy Education Minister Lira Samykbayeva stated during a live national radio broadcast that the process of registering children for school has been significantly simplified. Parents no longer need to submit numerous documents such as passports, marriage or birth certificates, and proof of family composition. “This year, the Ministry of Education integrated its database with other government agencies, so there is no longer a need to collect certificates manually,” Samykbayeva explained. However, she emphasized that two medical certificates will remain mandatory: one confirming a general health examination, and another verifying that the child has received preventive vaccinations, including the measles vaccine. “The only thing that must be provided to the school is two medical certificates,” she said. “Including vaccination against measles.” A government decree enforcing the new requirement was adopted just a day earlier. In the future, the Ministries of Education and Health plan to fully integrate their systems, allowing medical records to be accessed automatically by schools. The stricter policy comes as Kyrgyzstan battles a growing measles outbreak. Since the beginning of the year, over 4,000 children have contracted the disease, and eight people have died. According to health officials, 95 percent of those infected were unvaccinated. Speaking to The Times of Central Asia, Gulbara Ishenapysova, Director of the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, said the Ministry of Health is stepping up vaccination efforts. “By decision of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, the ministry has revised the national vaccination calendar,” she noted. In an effort to improve public trust, Kyrgyz health authorities have also engaged religious leaders. Clergy across the country are being encouraged to speak with parents about the importance of vaccinating their children.

Children's Rights

Kazakhstan Cracks Down on Crimes Against Children and Women

Kazakhstan’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Dinara Zakiyeva, has outlined the scale of sexual violence against minors and the state’s efforts to combat it by strengthening legislation and support systems. Legislative Changes In April 2024, Kazakhstan introduced sweeping amendments to its criminal legislation, significantly increasing penalties for crimes against women and children. On April 15, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law the On Amendments and Additions to Some Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Ensuring Women's Rights and Children's Safety. Key changes to the Criminal Code include: Prohibition of lenient sentencing for crimes involving violence against minors; Elimination of reconciliation between parties in cases involving violence against minors; Introduction of life imprisonment as the sole penalty for the murder of a minor (Article 99), rape of a minor (Article 120), and other violent sexual acts against minors (Article 121), removing alternative sentencing options; Criminalization of sexual solicitation of individuals under 16; and Legal liability for inciting or assisting in suicide. Scope of the Problem According to Zakiyeva, approximately 900 crimes related to the sexual abuse of minors are reported in Kazakhstan each year. Since the enactment of the new law, 25 to 27 individuals have already received life sentences for such offenses. The highest incidence of these crimes is recorded in southern Kazakhstan, specifically Almaty, Turkestan, and Zhambyl regions, as well as West Kazakhstan and Kostanay regions. Zakiyeva notes that these areas often have high population density and conservative family structures that may conceal abuse. Zakiyeva shared disturbing cases of underage girls who had given birth as a result of prolonged abuse. “In Zhambyl region, I met a 13-year-old girl who had been raped for six years by her two uncles. In Turkestan region, I visited a center housing 16 underage mothers, aged 13 to 15, all of whom were victims of abuse by relatives. Many didn’t even realize they were victims of a crime, they believed this was normal family life,” she said. Prevention and Support The children’s ombudsman emphasized that effective anti-violence strategies globally rely on four pillars: strengthening legal frameworks; promoting self-defense and awareness; working with families to identify risk factors early; and expanding support infrastructure for victims. Kazakhstan’s new legislation supports preventive measures such as deploying mobile teams to identify at-risk families and establishing family support centers in every district. Currently, 112 such centers are operational, with another 109 underway. In Turkestan region alone, the number of centers has grown from one to 13, with four more soon to open. Helpline and Awareness In a single month, Kazakhstan’s national children’s helpline received 120 phone calls and 11,145 text messages. According to Zakiyeva, these messages often reveal the deep emotional isolation children feel. “Children feel alone. They’re scared to speak out. They’re afraid to tell anyone that they’re being threatened, blackmailed, or approached by strangers. Many can’t talk to their parents, teachers, or psychologists,” she said.