“The criminalisation of domestic violence was a milestone”

This article is part of a series featuring interviews with women’s rights advocates from around the world. They share their personal stories and the successes of women’s rights movements in their countries.

How do you advocate for women’s rights and what motivates you?

I am a lawyer by profession and currently serve as the associate professor of constitutional law at Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL). My PhD research focused on the constitutional foundations for ensuring gender equality. I conduct trainings for government officials, judges, and journalists on gender-sensitive policies, legal protections, and combating gender-based violence. I also lead a group of student volunteers who produce awareness videos on violence against women to promote gender equality and foster social change. My motivation stems from a commitment to building an inclusive, just society where women’s rights are fully protected.

What are the biggest challenges that women are facing in Uzbekistan today?

Women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence, have limited access to leadership positions, and fewer economic opportunities. Some progress has been made in areas such as education. However, social norms still confine women to traditional roles, and access to justice for victims of gender-based violence remains a challenge. Women also face discrimination in the workplace, particularly in rural areas, where opportunities are scarce and patriarchal attitudes prevail.

What have been major achievements of the women’s rights movement in Uzbekistan?

The criminalisation of domestic violence was a milestone we achieved after years of persistent activism. Women are also participating more in education and public life. Women’s shelters and rehabilitation centres have been established, providing protection for victims of gender-based violence and violence against women and girls. However, these services need to be made more accessible and their quality improved. There is still resistance within society to reforms aimed at gender equality, and there are gaps in policy implementation and law enforcement.

After many years of activism, Uzbekistan criminalised domestic violence in 2023. What were the reasons for this success?

Our multifaceted approach combined grassroots advocacy, international cooperation, and evidence-based policy recommendations. Feminist activists such as Irina Matvienko and her team at Nemolchi.uz as well as human- rights lawyer Dilfuza Kurolova drew attention to the issue through effective advocacy. Public awareness campaigns highlighted the seriousness of the problem, and strategic partnerships with international organizsations provided technical expertise and support. The key element of success was probably the constructive dialogue between civil society and government officials: It fostered mutual understanding and paved the way for collaboration on policy reform.

Kamola Alieva is a lawyer and women’s rights activist. She serves as the Acting Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL).
kamolaalieva@gmail.com