(mirror page from http://www.undp.uz site, which is under reconstruction)

U Z B E K I S T A N

Located to the south of Kazakhstan in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a mostly desert country with a midlatitude climate. Its area is 447,400 square kilometers, and it borders Turkmenistan and Tadjikistan in the south and Kyrgyzstan in the east.

At present, 20 percent of Uzbekistan's land is cultivated, and it is the world's third largest cotton exporter. In addition to cotton, livestock, vegetables, fruit and grain are harvested. It is also a major producer of gold and natural gas. Since independence, the government has sought to prop up the Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on prices and production. Such policies have buffered the economy from the sharp declines in output and high inflation experienced by many other former Soviet republics. By late 1993, however, they had become increasingly unsustainable as inflation soared and the Uzbek Government introduced its own currency. The government has since increased its cooperation with international financial institutions.

Government: Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 31, 1991. The President, Islam Karimov, is also the chairman of the People's Democratic Party, formerly the Communist Party. Its legislative branch is unicameral, and administrative center is Tashkent.

Population: 22,608,866 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.13%

Birth rate: 30.01 births/1,000 population

Infant mortality rate: 53.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:

general, 68.58 years

female, 72.04 years

male, 65.28 years

Fertility rate: 3.73 children born/woman

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write

Male: 100%

Female: 100%

Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71.4%; Russian 8.3%; Tajik 4.7%; Kazakh 4.1%

Religions: Muslim 88% (be consistent); Eastern Orthodox 9%

Directory of Women's Organizations in Uzbekistan

Name of agency:

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE OF UZBEKISTAN

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Status:

Government agency

Head of agency:

Mrs. D. Goulyamova

Deputy Prime Minister on women's issues

Chairperson of Women's Committee

Address:

1 Furkat St., Room 406,

Tashkent, 700027,

Republic of Uzbekistan

Tel: 73712) 45-18-67

7(3712) 45-85-51

Fax: 7(3712) 44-26-61

Legislative authority/national policies with regard to establishment and operation of the agency:

The Women's Committee is responsible for implementing and coordinating government policies on social welfare and women development to enable them to become economically independent.

Year and background of establishment:

1994

Organizational structure:

3,000,000 members

Has branches in each oblast and provinces as well in Karakalpakstan

Objectives and functions:

* To improve the status of women in Uzbekistan by coordinating the development and implementation of government policies and programs. Identifying emerging issues of importance to women.

* To cover a broad range of issues including care, employment, education, legal rights, violence against women, health, etc.

* To deliver policy advice on women's interests to the government of Uzbekistan.

* To promote, establish, undertake and manage plans for the welfare of women and families.

* Legal strengthening: to study and join international instruments, improve legal literacy of Uzbek women and help them fully exercise their rights.

* To strengthen the policy on women's health issues, to enhance and improve the health of women especially in Karakalpakstan (Aral Sea basin).

* To improve women's entrepreneurial activity.

* To link international, regional and national women's organizations.

Budget:

n.a.

Staff:

n.a.

Plans/major programmes:

n.a.

Serials (newsletter, journals, bulletins):

n.a.

Recent major monographic publications:

n.a.

Name of organization:

BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF UZBEKISTAN

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Address:

41 Pr. Kosmonavtov,

Tashkent, 700015,

Republic of Uzbekistan

Tel: 7(3712) 56-65-78

Fax: 7(3712) 56-81-58

Status:

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

Name and position

of the person to contact:

Dildor Alimbekova, President

Year of establishment:

1991

Registered by Ministry of Justice

Membership:

3000 members in Samarkand, Kokand, and Bukhara.

Geographical coverage:

Regional

Sources of financing:

n.a.

Aims and objectives:

* To assist and secure women's businesses.

* Organize training for women in development of their knowledge in management and marketing.

* To raise loans for its entrepreneurs in order to develop women's entrepreneurial activities.

* To link governmental and non governmental organizations both in CIS and abroad.

Fields of activity:

* Increase women's income in transition period and lobby on behalf of their property and business interests.

* Expand vocational skill development facilities for women, especially in non-traditional areas.

* Expand credit facilities for women to enable them to take up self-employment both in rural and urban areas.

Gender projects and programs:

n.a.

Publications:

none

Staff:

n.a.

Budget:

n.a.

Plans and main projects:

n.a.

Name of organization:

KOKAND BRANCH OFFICE OF THE BUSINESS WOMEN OF UZBEKISTAN

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Address:

73 Khodjaev St.,

Kokand, Fergana Oblast,

Republic of Uzbekistan

Tel: 7(3732) 23-25-82

Status:

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

Name and position

of the person to contact:

Ergasheva, Chairman of Board

Year of establishment:

1991

Membership:

157 total members

Geographical coverage:

Local

Sources of financing:

Members' contributions, sponsorship

Aims and objectives:

* Assistance to business women.

* Legal support to women.

* Assistance to women artisans

* Small businesses creation

Fields of activity:

* Social welfare

* Employment

* Education/literacy/skill training

Gender projects and programs:

n.a.

Publications:

none

Staff:

total 7

managerial

professional

clerical support

women

7

men

Budget:

n.a.

Plans and main projects:

* Business training to rural women.

Name of organization:

"OLIMA" SCHOLARLY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

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Address:

1 Furkat Street,

Tashkent, 700027,

Republic of Uzbekistan

Status:

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

Name and position

of the person to contact:

Dr.Saira Rashidova, Chairperson

Year of establishment:

1992

Membership:

Has branches in Samarkand, Jizzak, Andijan, Fergana, Namangan

Geographical coverage:

National

Sources of financing:

n.a.

Aims and objectives:

* To encourage women scholars to take active part in solution of economic, social, cultural and legal problems of society.

* To assist women scholars to use their knowledge for the improvement of living conditions of women.

* To create awareness among women in all spheres of life.

* Matters relating to women's legal and social rights.

Fields of activity:

n.a.

Gender projects and programs:

n.a.

Publications:

none

Staff:

n.a.

Budget:

n.a.

Plan and main projects:

n.a.

Name of organization:

"PERZENT" KARAKALPAK CENTER OF HUMAN

REPRODUCTION AND FAMILY PLANNING

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Address:

P.O.Box 27, Nukus-12,

742012, Republic of Karakalpakstan,

Uzbekistan

Tel: 7(36122) 75-51-17

Fax: 7 095 251-7617

Status:

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

Name and position

of the person to contact:

Dr.Oral Ataniyazova, Director

Year of establishment:

1995

Membership:

n.a.

Geographical coverage:

Regional

Sources of financing:

n.a.

Aims and objectives:

* Support and investigate ecological influence on the health of women and children.

* To conduct events in order to improve women's and children's knowledge about ecology, hygiene, family planning issues and publish booklets and leaflets.

* To provide high quality medical aid in family planning issues and charity activities.

* Creation of Information Center to link with international and national organizations.

Fields of activity:

n.a.

Gender projects and programs:

n.a.

Publications:

none

Staff:

n.a.

Budget:

n.a.

Plans and main projects:

n.a.

Name of organization:

WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER

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Address:

11 Abdulla Kadiri,

Tashkent, 700011,

Republic of Uzbekistan

Tel: 7(3712) 41-71-03

Fax: (3712) 41-21-49

Status:

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

Name and position

of the person to contact:

Mrs. Pirnazarova, Chairperson

Year of establishment:

1995

Registered in local authority

Membership:

12 total members

Geographical coverage:

Local

Sources of financing:

n.a.

Aims and objectives:

* Disseminate information

* Foster enlightenment

* Support the initiatives of individuals

* Provide a forum for cooperation

Fields of activity:

* Raising awareness regarding the tremendous problems confronting women.

* Broadening women's own consciousness and awareness of current global trends.

* Promoting women's identity as a social group.

Gender projects and programs:

n.a.

Publications:

none

Staff:

total 12

managerial

professional

clerical support

women

3

9

men

Budget:

n.a.

Plans and main projects:

n.a.

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