It was noted that in recent years, the attention paid to women has increased even more in the country. Consistent reforms are being implemented to protect their rights and legitimate interests, increase economic, social and political activity, protect their health, provide vocational training and employment, and provide social support to women in need.
In the country, ensuring gender equality and empowering all women has been identified as one of the priority goals in Uzbekistan. To achieve it, it is necessary, in accordance with international standards, to improve legislation providing for support for women in the realization of their rights and interests in the socio-economic sphere.
However, today in the practice of law enforcement in matters related to the reliable protection of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of women, there are a number of problems. In particular, there are no proportionate sanctions for criminal acts affecting the rights of women and children, responsibility for violating privacy, humiliation of their honor and dignity.
Also, the validity period of the warrant granting state protection to the victim of harassment and violence (thirty days) does not allow for sufficient protection of the rights and legitimate interests of women. The imposition of fines as punishment for non-payment of alimony leads to even greater financial difficulties.
The proposed bill strengthens the measures of responsibility against persons who have dishonored a victim who has not reached the age of eighteen, or who have used violence against them, satisfying sexual needs in an unnatural way, or forcing him to have sexual contact, or involving him in prostitution, as well as for a pornographic product using images of a minor.
The use of facilitating punishments, including conditional early release of persons who have committed these crimes, is prohibited.
The responsibility for the commission of crimes against the sexual integrity and freedom of persons with disabilities, minors, as well as for the commission of these crimes by a person performing his duties for the upbringing, vocational training or care of the victim is being strengthened.
Another important innovation is the introduction of administrative and criminal liability for domestic (domestic) violence. In particular, based on modern international norms and foreign experience in protecting the rights of women and children, along with physical violence, administrative and criminal liability for economic and mental violence is established.
In addition, criminal liability is defined for disclosing information about a person's private life and degrading his honor and dignity, sexual harassment, failure to fulfill obligations to appoint a guardian or sponsor to his minor children.
As a measure to ensure the fulfillment of alimony obligations, a new measure of administrative penalty is introduced, as mandatory involvement in paid community service.
At the same time, a norm is being introduced prohibiting persons who have previously committed sexual crimes against minors from teaching, raising children, conducting health improvement activities, working in sports and creative organizations.
According to the deputies, the draft law will serve to prevent harassment and violence against women and children, strengthen the institution of the family, improve the country's position in international indices in matters of ensuring the rights of children and women.
The draft law was adopted by deputies.
