Uzbekistan has launched 16 days of active efforts to combat gender-based violence.

As part of the official launch of the global campaign, a high-level roundtable was held in Tashkent on the topic "National Experience in Multisectoral Responses to Violence Against Women and Children: Lessons and Achievements." The meeting brought together representatives from government agencies, international organizations, and civil society to discuss challenges, achievements, and future strategies in combating gender-based violence and improving child protection systems in Uzbekistan.

One of the key moments was the announcement of a national study on the prevalence of gender-based violence, the results of which will provide critically important data for developing future policies and response measures.

During the 16 Days of Activism, a social video was also prepared featuring Olympic champion for Paris 2024, Diyorа Keldiyorova. In August of this year, the judoka was appointed as a social commissioner for the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to combat gender inequality and violence against children. The video showcases two contrasting scenarios in a woman's life: one filled with suffering and pain, the other with happiness and joy.

“This day is another reminder that every woman deserves to live in a world where she is respected, her words are heard, and her dreams pave the way for the future. Today, together, we say to violence: 'Enough!' It’s time to transform fear and doubt into confidence. It’s time to ensure that every woman is heard and loved.

A world without violence is not a dream; it is a goal we can achieve together,” wrote on Instagram, Shahnoza Mirziyeva, the first deputy director of the National Agency for Social Protection.

Additionally, according to data published in a joint report by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 140 women and girls lose their lives every day at the hands of their partners or close relatives, which means that, on average, one woman dies every 10 minutes due to domestic violence.

Experts note that in 2023, 85,000 women and girls worldwide became victims of intentional homicides. Of these crimes, 60 percent—51,000—were committed by intimate partners or other family members.

It is specified that a significant proportion of women killed by their intimate partners (between 22 and 37 percent) had previously reported some form of physical, sexual, or psychological violence from their partner. This indicates that many murders could have been prevented. Restraining orders against male partners that prohibit further contact between them and the victims of violence are one of the possible protective measures.

“The new report on femicides emphasizes the urgent need to create strong criminal justice systems that hold offenders accountable while providing appropriate support to victims, including access to safe and transparent reporting mechanisms,” said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Wali. “At the same time, we must confront gender biases, power imbalances, and harmful norms that perpetuate violence against women.”

On December 20, 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution containing the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and on December 17, 1999, it adopted a resolution proclaiming November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. As part of the campaign launched today, UN Women will call on the international community to fulfill its commitments to protect women.