Translated with AI
Since the beginning of 2025, 48,303 cases of harassment and violence against women have been registered in Uzbekistan, a 121% increase compared to the same period last year. This was stated by Malika Kadirkhanova, a member of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women, Culture, and Sports, in a request sent to Zulaykho Makhkamova, Chair of the Family and Women's Committee, Fergana.ru reports.
According to official statistics, the largest number of cases was recorded in the Tashkent region (9,414), Bukhara (5,612), Kashkadarya (5,268), and Andijan (4,808). In the first six months of 2025, 930 women were issued repeat restraining orders.
In her inquiry, Senator Kadirkhanova emphasized that, despite existing measures and laws, the country is seeing an increase in cases of harassment and violence against women (we assume, for our part, that the increase in statistics is significantly influenced by the fact that Uzbek women have begun to seek help more often, rather than hushing up the problem – Fergana). Kadirkhanova asked the Family and Women's Committee to provide clarification on measures to identify the causes, prevent them, collaborate with other agencies, and foster an atmosphere of intolerance toward such violations in mahallas (communities).
In early August, Supreme Court Press Secretary Aziz Abidov reported that over 6,000 people were held accountable for domestic violence and sexual harassment in Uzbekistan in the first six months of this year. Specifically, 4,952 people were held administratively liable under Article 59-2 ("Domestic Violence"), of which 3,200 were fined and 1,752 were arrested. A total of 231 people were convicted of these crimes in criminal cases, including 65 sentenced to prison.
From January to June 2025, 358 people were fined for sexual harassment, 628 were arrested, and 986 offenders were held administratively liable. Additionally, 99 people were convicted of illegally disclosing information defaming a person's honor and dignity (Article 141-3), 24 of whom received prison sentences.
According to the press service of the National Agency for Social Protection, over 41,000 restraining orders were issued to women victims of violence in the first six months. Inson Social Service Centers provided assistance to 11,914 women. 4,006 women received assistance in primary support rooms. 512 women and 709 children were placed in rehabilitation centers, where they received social and psychological support.
