Authors

  • Ibrohimova Zulhumor Solih kizi
    Senior Assistant Judge of Tashkent City Court, Doctor of Philosophy in Legal Sciences (PhD), Uzbekistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37547/tajpslc/Volume07Issue05-12

Keywords:

Prevention violence and harassment rehabilitation

Abstract

This article describes the legal and regulatory instruments adopted in Uzbekistan for the protection of women's rights and freedoms and the prevention of various infringements on them, as well as the amendments and additions made to legislation on the basis of those instruments. Attention is paid to the positive results of the legal acts adopted by Uzbekistan on the protection of women subjected to violence and various forms of harassment and their practical significance in the future. The article also presents the legal policy pursued by foreign countries in this area, as well as the opinions of some scientists aimed at preventing violence and harassment against women.


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The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology

94

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TYPE

Original Research

PAGE NO.

94-98

DOI

10.37547/tajpslc/Volume07Issue05-12



OPEN ACCESS

SUBMITED

21 March 2025

ACCEPTED

17 April 2025

PUBLISHED

19 May 2025

VOLUME

Vol.07 Issue05 2025

CITATION

Ibrohimova Zulhumor Solih kizi. (2025). The development of legal policies

for the prevention of crimes that infringe on women’s rights and freedoms

and their current status. The American Journal of Political Science Law and
Criminology, 7(05), 94

98.

https://doi.org/10.37547/tajpslc/Volume07Issue05-12

COPYRIGHT

© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.

The development of legal
policies for the prevention
of crimes that infringe on
women's rights and
freedoms and their
current status

Ibrohimova Zulhumor Solih kizi

Senior Assistant Judge of Tashkent City Court, Doctor of Philosophy in
Legal Sciences (PhD), Uzbekistan

Abstract:

This article describes the legal and regulatory

instruments adopted in Uzbekistan for the protection of
women's rights and freedoms and the prevention of
various infringements on them, as well as the
amendments and additions made to legislation on the
basis of those instruments. Attention is paid to the
positive results of the legal acts adopted by Uzbekistan
on the protection of women subjected to violence and
various forms of harassment and their practical
significance in the future. The article also presents the
legal policy pursued by foreign countries in this area, as
well as the opinions of some scientists aimed at
preventing violence and harassment against women.

Keywords:

Prevention, violence and harassment,

rehabilitation, prevention, protection order, women's
rights and freedoms, victim.

Introduction:

The objective of this paper is to provide a

comprehensive overview of the existing legislative
framework aimed at preventing offenses in this
particular domain. To a certain extent, the legislation in
this area has been systematized. This has also served to
effectively regulate the legal regulation of crimes of
harassment and violence [1].

According to the Decree of the President of the Republic
of Uzbekistan "On measures to improve the system of
social rehabilitation and adaptation, as well as
prevention of family and domestic violence" dated
02.07.2018,

No.

PP-3827[2],

the

Center

for

Rehabilitation and Adaptation of Victims of Violence


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and Suicide Prevention was established for the first
time in the country. This center offers a variety of
services, including emergency medical, mental health,
social work, legal assistance, and educational support,
to individuals facing challenging social circumstances.
These services are provided anonymously and are
intended to address a wide range of needs, such as
family issues and marital violence. The center plays a
crucial role in addressing conflict, domestic violence,
and increasing suicidal behavior, thereby contributing
to the well-being of the community.

Presidential Decision No. PP-5116 of 19.05.2021[3]
"On additional measures for the rehabilitation of
women victims of violence" established the Republican
Center for the Rehabilitation and Adaptation of
Women and its territorial branches under the Ministry
for the Support of Mahalla and the Family on the basis
of the Republican Center for the Rehabilitation and
Adaptation of Victims of Violence and Suicide
Prevention. The primary objectives of the Center were
delineated as follows: first, the provision of emergency
medical, psychological, social, pedagogical, legal, and
other assistance in an anonymous capacity to women
who have endured harassment and violence, as well as
those who have made attempts on their lives or are
susceptible to committing suicide; second, the
facilitation of the rights of women in challenging social
circumstances, including those grappling with family
issues and domestic violence; third, the provision of
close assistance to the operations of state bodies and
civil society institutions; and fourth, the provision of
assistance to women's organizations and civil society
institutions.

On January 4, 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers issued
Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 3, which established
a procedure for the issuance of protection orders by
the internal affairs agencies for women who have
suffered harassment or violence. The decision also
stipulates the issuance of copies of protection orders
for individuals who have committed or are inclined to
commit harassment or violence.

According to the provisions outlined in the Ordinance,
the prevention inspector is obligated to undertake the
following actions within a 24-hour period: A thorough
examination of appeals and applications submitted by
duty units of internal affairs bodies. Conducting
interviews with the victim and perpetrators of
violence, along with other relevant individuals, to
ascertain the circumstances and motivations behind
any acts of harassment or violence.

A comprehensive assessment of the victim's and
perpetrator's lifestyle, including an analysis of their
social environment and potential risk factors. The

implementation of measures aimed at social
rehabilitation and adaptation for both victims and
perpetrators of violence, with the objective of
preventing reoccurrence and promoting peaceful
coexistence.

The following three points demonstrate the significance
of the decrees as a legal basis for activities in this area.
Firstly, the measures established in the decrees are
aimed at preventing the occurrence of offenses related
to harassment and violence. Secondly, the decrees are
intended to eliminate the causes, conditions, and
factors that lead to the commission of offenses related
to domestic violence. Thirdly, the decrees aim to
effectively organize the prevention of harassment and
violence, improve cooperation in this area, and
encourage public organizations and citizens to link the
prevention of harassment and violence with the
prevention of domestic violence.

Civil society institutions, particularly citizens' self-
governance bodies, also play an instrumental role in
preventing crimes that infringe upon women's rights
and freedoms. Specifically, Act No. ZRU-561 of
02.09.2019, which pertains to the protection of women
against oppression and violence, delineates the
following responsibilities of citizens' self-governance
bodies:

Participation in the development and implementation
of programs at the state, territorial, and other levels
focused on the protection of women from oppression
and violence.

The provision of assistance to state bodies in the
implementation of measures designed to protect
women from harassment and violence constitutes a key
element of the initiative.

The implementation of legislation intended to protect
women from harassment and violence is subject to the
exercise of public control.

The purpose of this study is to formulate proposals for
enhancing legislation that aims to safeguard women
from harassment and violence, as well as to refine law
enforcement practices in this domain.

Collaboration with the relevant authorized bodies and
organizations involved in the protection of women
against harassment and violence is imperative.

Concurrently, "self-governing bodies of citizens
implement measures aimed at safeguarding the rights,
liberties, and legitimate interests of women,
augmenting their role in public life, shaping the spiritual
and moral atmosphere in the family, and educating the
younger generation" [5].

"The state's closest ally in the fight against oppression
and violence against women is also the mahallas. It is


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imperative that no family be excluded from the
purview of the mahalla chairman, women's affairs
specialists, prevention inspectors, and mahalla
activists engaged in their activities within the mahalla.
Harassment and violence within familial structures are
frequently concealed (latent) and, at first glance, may
appear to be within acceptable parameters.
Consequently, victims of such maltreatment may
exercise discretion to maintain the secrecy of these
circumstances, motivated by a desire to preserve the
family's reputation and, in some instances, a tacit
acceptance of the violence. The imminent threat of
harassment and violence is a salient concern in this
matter, as inaction will inevitably result in adverse
consequences that have persisted for an extended
duration. The repercussions of this phenomenon
extend beyond the individual, impacting the social
fabric of the community.

In this regard, G.A. Ravshanova identifies six directions
that are deemed advisable for self-governing bodies of
citizens to implement in their activities to prevent
harassment and violence, and to promote the creation
of a healthy spiritual climate in families.

First, it is necessary to establish effective mechanisms
for identifying families that are in a state of dysfunction
and are, as a result, at risk of social exclusion. In
addition, optimal methods of organizing preventive
work with families at risk of conflict must be
implemented.

Secondly, effective social interaction with relevant
organizations is necessary for the identification of
individuals who are at risk of becoming victims of
victimization due to their social status, physiological
condition, behavior, or way of life. The implementation
of victimization prevention measures for these
individuals is crucial.

Thirdly, it is imperative to implement measures aimed
at the identification and eradication of the conditions
that led to an individual becoming a victim of an
offense, in addition to the underlying causes that
facilitated the commission of the offense.

Fourthly, it is imperative for each makhalla to
undertake high-level explanatory and propaganda
initiatives concerning the legal framework and the
measures implemented in our nation to combat
harassment and violence. These initiatives must be
disseminated to ensure that every family is cognizant
of these measures.

Fifthly, it is imperative to cultivate an environment that
fosters the development and dissemination of
knowledge and skills among women, empowering
them to effectively address and combat harassment
and violence.

Sixth, for the effective implementation of educational
and preventive measures in this process, it is advisable
to ensure active social cooperation and effective public
control of the existing standing commissions: the
Commission for Strengthening Family Values; the
Commission for Work with Women; the Commission for
Social Support and Public Control, sectors, government
agencies, and other civil society institutions"[7].

A comprehensive approach to addressing this issue
involves the systematic organization of explanatory and
educational work with families residing in mahallas, the
development of legal culture, and spiritual-educational
activities. Moreover, the active involvement of each
family member in these processes is crucial for ensuring
effective outcomes in the prevention of offenses against
women within the family unit.

It is evident that the global health crisis has led to an
escalation in the level of awareness concerning
domestic violence. On a global scale, the scientific
community has engaged in discourse regarding the
potential risks associated with the novel coronavirus
(SARS-CoV-2), commonly referred to as "covid-19."
These discussions have encompassed not only the
health implications of the virus but also its potential to
escalate domestic violence levels within households,
particularly in instances where all family members are
present.^([8]) A. Taub and K. Kaukinen have also stated
that "a coronavirus pandemic will have an
unprecedented impact on the rates and consequences
of crime and violence worldwide." This encompasses
the risks and consequences associated with decision-
making by women who have experienced partner
violence within the domestic environment. The
implementation of exposure measures, which include
restrictions on movement designed to mitigate the
spread of the virus, has the potential to exacerbate
domestic violence, leading to more severe and
dangerous outcomes.

The preponderance of research indicates that the
quarantine imposed during the pandemic resulted in an
escalation of domestic violence. This phenomenon is
evidenced by the substantial surge in domestic violence
cases observed worldwide during the pandemic. S.
Akhmedov cites the following reasons: The following
factors must be considered when assessing the
situation:

- The victim's inability to leave the room where the
aggressor is present for a period of 24 hours.

- The victim's inability to notify the relevant
organizations and agencies about the state of violence
due to constant surveillance by the aggressor.

- The inability of most specialized assistance centers to
receive victims due to the presence of the novel


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coronavirus.

In certain countries worldwide, the following measures
have been implemented to safeguard against the
potential for domestic violence to be incited by
quarantine measures. In particular, it was reported
that domestic violence increased by an average of 35%
in France due to the quarantine. In response to the
escalating violence, the French government issued a
call for women to seek refuge in pharmacies. In an
effort to address the pressing issue of violence, a
network of twenty counseling centers has been
established within grocery stores nationwide. It was
stated that victims would be reimbursed for hotel
stays. A discrete SMS service had been established to
facilitate the transmission of SMS messages by victims.

The government of Italy has implemented a mobile
program, entitled "YouPol," which aims to provide
assistance to victims. The objective of this program is
to provide assistance to victims without the need for a
phone call.

The Parliament of Canada has allocated $200 million to
all shelters in the country. The province allocated $2.7
million to support victims of violence and other crimes
during the pandemic.

The UK government has allocated £1.6 billion to those
affected and in need. The UK Home Office
disseminated a social media campaign on the
microblogging platform Twitter, the objective of which
was to provide support to victims of violence. The
campaign was accompanied by the hashtag
#Youarenotalone.

In Spain, the government has initiated a support
service for victims via the social networking platform
WhatsApp. The Minister of Gender Equality has stated
that following the initiation of the service, there has
been a 270% increase in the number of appeals.

The Mascarilla-19 initiative was initiated in the Canary
Islands. In this scenario, individuals who have been
subjected to violence enter a pharmacy and request a
"mask-19." Upon hearing the word "mask-19," the
pharmacist

immediately

notifies

the

police.

Subsequently, this practice was implemented in other
regions.

It is noteworthy that a comparable initiative has been
implemented in our nation as well. The project,
entitled "Call Umida," is an adaptation of the social
initiative Ask for Angela, which emerged in the United
Kingdom in 2016.

The initiative was established and initiated by Child, a
sexual harassment activist, in honor of Angela, a 34-
year-old acquaintance who was murdered by her
spouse in her residence. At that time, flyers were

disseminated in the restrooms of local bars, containing
a message addressed to women. The message indicated
that in the event that an individual caused them
discomfort during a meeting, they were instructed to
approach the bartender and request the assistance of
"Angela." The phrase functions as a request for
assistance. In response to the auditory stimulus, the
bartender adheres to established protocol, which
dictates that he is authorized to escort the woman to a
designated safe room, provide guidance to an
emergency exit, or contact the authorities if deemed
necessary[11]. In Germany, a project of a similar nature
is underway, entitled "Ist Luisa Hier? (Is Luisa here?)"
was launched in 2016. In 2020, the Russian release was
entitled "Call Galya," and in 2021, the Kyrgyz release was
entitled "Call Kantai!"[12].

Given the specificity of criminogenic factors associated
with crimes against women, it is imperative to prioritize
the

development

and

implementation

of

comprehensive prevention strategies that focus on
enhancing the economic, legal, and social protection of
women. Concomitantly, it is imperative that gender
issues are accurately comprehended by diverse societal
segments to facilitate the realization of human rights.

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