In Uzbekistan, social services provided to women who have experienced persecution and violence are lacking at the mahalla level. The quality of practical assistance at the district level remains low. This was discussed at a meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on May 3.
During the meeting, it was noted that in developed countries, there is timely psychological, medical, and legal assistance provided to victims of violence, which, according to the World Health Organization, affects every third woman in the world in one form or another.
It was pointed out that the updated Constitution of Uzbekistan defines the country as a social state, guaranteeing social support to the population and creating equal conditions for everyone.
To improve the situation, it is proposed to introduce a new three-tier system for providing social services to victims of violence:
- At the mahalla level, a social worker, a prevention inspector, and a women's activist will study cases of persecution and continuously monitor the situation.
- At the district level, "Inson" centers will provide psychological, legal, and other types of social services without the requirement of a protection order. Emergency aid rooms will be set up in hospital emergency departments for initial assistance.
- At the regional level, rehabilitation centers will offer psychological and legal services for shelter and in-depth rehabilitation for up to six months without the need for an application.
In addition, measures will be taken to prevent violence in the fields of education and employment.
Furthermore, a program will be developed for the rehabilitation of perpetrators of violence, which will be implemented in coordination with the "Inson" center. Law enforcement agencies will maintain a register of perpetrators of violence.
There are plans to develop a standard for social services for victims of violence. The development of activities of non-governmental non-profit organizations in this area is also planned, as stated in the announcement.
