Prof. Dr. Bahodirjon Shermuhammadov, Rector of Fergana State University, Uzbekistan
Summary:
In Uzbekistan, Fergana State University (FSU) demonstrates commitment to gender equality through legislative support and institutional initiatives. Laws enacted in 2019 and 2022 emphasize equal opportunities for women. FSU's proactive measures include achieving gender-balanced ratio in administrative and academic staff, and student enrollment. Financial incentives, scholarships, and events address challenges that women face today. Collaboration with national and international institutions enhances women's roles in science, supported by conferences and seminars. The university's innovative “Bolajon” center provides support for female students with children. Beyond FSU, regional centers in Namangan and Andijan State Universities extend gender equality efforts, reflecting a comprehensive commitment to empowering women in education and society.
In Uzbekistan, the Law “On guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for women and men” and the Decree “On measures to further accelerate the work of the systematic support of the family and women” were adopted in 2019 and 2022, respectively. These documents were developed to ensure equal rights and opportunities between the sexes, to regulate social relations in this regard, to encourage women’s participation in all aspects of political, social and scientific life.
Fergana State University (FSU) acknowledges the importance of women's participation in work and study; emphasizes creation of necessary conditions for women to acquire knowledge and strengthen their place in society; and protection of legal rights and interests of women. Fergana State University implements comprehensive policies and several projects in this regard.
In December 2021, implementing the university's order No. 590, FSU introduced the position of "Dean's Adviser on Women's Affairs". At present, there are 101 women with the degree of doctor of philosophy (PhD), and 14 women professors with the degree of endeavors. Currently, 19 women are working in leadership positions at the university (3 deans of the faculty, 15 heads of the department, 1 head of the office).
In the 2022/2023 academic year, 3878 female students were admitted to the undergraduate courses (full-time and part-time) and master's degrees of Fergana State University. In the same academic year, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 402, 96 female students were accepted based on state funding. The number of female students at Fergana State University is 11700 (65 percent of total students). The tuition fee for 841 female students studying at the master's degree in FSU was fully covered from the state budget. Currently, 28 women are working in 19 projects funded by FSU.
At the university, monthly and one-time financial incentives are provided for orphan and disabled female students, and students under social protection schemes. “Special scholarship for girls” was introduced at the university, and this scholarship was awarded to 13 female students in 2022.
In 2022, more than 1200 spiritual and educational events, and 42 competitions were held, and more than 450 preventive measures were taken. Those events focused on prevention of early marriage among female students, marriage between relatives, prevention of family disputes, and protection of women from harassment and violence. In November-December of 2022, the “16 Days Action Against Violence” was held at the university.
In 6 student dormitories with total number of 2151 places, 2000 female students have been accommodated, which means 98 percent of total capacity is allocated to female students only. 63 female students with disabilities and 18 female students with social protection status are exempted from accommodation fee which is already affordable. Moreover, 41% of the students living in rental accommodation outside of university are girls who get 50% reimbursement of rental costs thanks to university funds.
It is worth to note that Fergana State University in cooperation with the Republican Commission on Gender Equality established “Research Center on Gender Equality Issues” and “Bolajon” Innovation Center – unique institutions that pioneer in the Fergana Valley region.
By the decision of the Scientific Council of Fergana State University, the “Research Center on Gender Equality Issues” started its activity on December 28, 2020. The center, based in FSU, carries out analytical and research works according to its Charter and Roadmap. The center objectives are increasing the participation of female students both in society and university, raising their status, comprehensively protecting their rights, protecting their health, supporting their aspirations and initiatives, creating decent working and living conditions for them. Today, efforts are being made to widely involve women in research, increase the share of women in the university's scientific potential, and further develop the center's relations with other institutions.
The university has established scientific-practical cooperation with many higher educational institutions in Uzbekistan as well as with prestigious higher education institutions abroad, specifically on gender equality studies, increasing the potential and role of women in the development of science. Seminars and dialogues are being held to achieve scientific and practical cooperation with international women scientists on the most relevant topics.
In early February of 2021, Deputy Prime Minister B. Musaev, Minister of Higher and Secondary Special Education A. Tashkulov, Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Chairman of the Gender Equality Commission of Uzbekistan T.N. Norboeva visited the center, got acquainted with the center's activities, and gave their recommendations.
Close cooperation with the Republican Commission on Gender Equality was established in order to turn the Center into a regional base institution within Uzbekistan. Projects were formed on the establishment of scientific research activities in the field of women's employment and social protection. In this regard, the Center is conducting research with the support of the Eurasian National University named after L. Gumilyov and the National Pedagogical University named after Abay in Kazakhstan.
The first international conference on “Women and Science: Gender Aspects” was held online on May 21, 2021. The conference was held by Gender Equality Research Center. At the scientific conference, the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Chairman of the Gender Equality Commission of Uzbekistan T.N. Norboeva, the Acting Rector of Fergana State University R. Shukurov participated with their introductory words, the press attache of the US Embassy in Uzbekistan Susan Wood, the Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education of Uzbekistan O. R. Jamoldinova, UN’s Advisor on Women, Professor of Azerbaijan State University Rena Ibrahimbekova and others.
On June 14-15, 2021, the Republican practical seminar-training on the topic “The Role of Women in Implementing the Strategy of Achieving Gender Equality” was held with the participation of the chairwomen of the Women's Advisory Council on Women's Issues of 150 higher education institutions in the Republic. The Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chairman of the Gender Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan T. Narbaeva, the Minister of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan A. Tashkulov, the Rector of Fergana State University B. Shermuhammadov participated in the seminar-training with their introductory words. At the conference, Head of the Department of the Committee on Religious Affairs F. Abdurakhmanova participated with the topic "Spiritual and Moral Foundations of Ensuring Gender Equality in the Neighborhood and Family". Moreover, in the seminar-training, issues such as the causes of crimes within the family, legal foundations of gender equality, ways to increase the activity of women in science were discussed.
On June 17-20, under the theme “Let's Unite the Youth of New Uzbekistan!” more than 200 young students got acquainted with the activities of “Gender Equality Research Center” in the region, and their questions were answered by professors of Fergana State University. On August 25, 2021, an international online conference on “Gender Aspects in the Family Life of the Peoples of Central Asia” was held.
A seminar-training on “Methods of Teaching National Customs and Traditions to the Youth of the 21st Century” was held at the Center. At the seminar-training, surveys were conducted on the questionnaire to determine the current social psychological problems of young people, and proposals were analyzed and recommendations were developed.
Today, more than 1000 female students, studying at Fergana State University, have children over three years old. The “Research Center on Gender Equality” and the “Bolajon” innovation center, which is adjacent to and under the auspices of the Center, serve the interests of our women and their family. It is obvious that mother-students who need to take care of, discipline and do activities with their children besides their studies may face challenges in learning. Therefore, the activity of the Center opened under the university provides opportunities in this direction.
The innovative center has created all conditions for children. In the yard, there is a summer porch, children's seats, figurines of fairy-tale characters, small attractions for entertainment activities. To engage in the education of 3-4 and 5-6 year-old children, modern and comfortable rooms are equipped based on the required standards of preschool education. In this Center, students of the faculty of elementary and pre-school education do internships and volunteering activities.
Moreover, the “Research Center on Gender Equality” under Fergana State University has opened departments in Namangan and Andijan State Universities as a regional center and organized activities based on road maps. According to the plan of the Center, the results of the analysis were determined and the potential of women in the development of science was studied in higher education institutions.