The Women?s Committee of Uzbekistan, which was established in 1991, has been carrying out consistent work to improve the status of women in the country. The Committee unites more than 3 million members nationwide.

The Committee fulfills coordinating work in implementing the State policy in improving the status of women, elevating their role in the society and family, perfecting the legal protection system of their social, economic and spiritual interests.

The commitment of the Uzbek Government to elevating the status of women in the governance and enhancing their role in the society was reinforced in 1995 with the establishment of post of the Vice Prime-minister responsible for protection of family, maternity and childhood.

The Committee participates in training female professionals in different spheres, attracting women into labor activity, analyzing status of women and the degree of their participation in the social and economic development of society, conditions for women in work and moral atmosphere in family, and also the level of social protection of women in enterprises and various organizations irrespective of their ownership patterns and bureaucratic affiliation. Whenever necessary the Committee provides women with legal, psychological, financial, moral and other assistance.

For the past years the national mechanism of increasing the status of women and improving their position has been formed in Uzbekistan. It has created a basis for favorable development of women\'s movement and for exposure of full potential of women at the legislative and executive levels.

21 women have been selected to the Legislative Chamber of the Parliament which makes up 17,5 per cent of the total number of deputies. Uzbekistan attaches a great importance to female participation in political life considering it as one of the major tools in guaranteeing their equality.

One of the most important factors of enhancing women\'s movement in Uzbekistan is the creation of women?s non-governmental organizations. The partnership of the governmental and non-governmental sectors has enabled the process of addressing different issues of important nature concerning the problems related to women. At present all women?s NGOs of Uzbekistan have created an alliance ?Mehr? (Care) and act with united position at the international level.

Special attention has been paid to strengthening the integration of the Uzbek women?s group into international movement. Representatives of the Women?s Committee and women?s NGOs actively participate in international meetings and symposiums. The Committee closely works with the United Nations and its agencies as well as with other international organizations accredited in Uzbekistan.

The Republic of Uzbekistan has been making consistent efforts to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Platform and Action Plan, Millennium development goals and other international standards concerning the interests and the rights of women.

As of 2006 more than 80 legislative documents of Uzbekistan have direct linkage to the issues of protection of women?s rights and freedoms.

The Women?s Committee of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Ombudsman of the Uzbek Parliament has created the special group to monitor the implementation of international and national legal standards on women?s rights.

The Committee has also elaborated the bill on protection of reproductive health and reproductive rights of women of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

To implement the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women issued after the consideration of Uzbekistan?s report on CEDAW Uzbekistan has developed the National Plan of Action which is being put into practice at present.

In 2004 the Republic of Uzbekistan presented to the above mentioned UN Committee its second periodic report on implementation of the provisions of CEDAW.

Approved by the Cabinet of Ministers the National Platform and Plan of Action on improving the status of women and enhancing their role in the society are being consistently implemented in the republic.