Ziynegul's eyes light up as she carefully flips through her family album. "That's me," she says, "I think I was 8 years old, and I was playing with my dolls, fixing their hair." Little did she know that a childhood pastime would one day lead her to become a successful business owner in Bozatau district in northwestern Uzbekistan. The region, located in the northern part of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, which was once thriving due to the Aral Sea's role in its economy and infrastructure, has since faced a multitude of problems with the sea drying up.   Ziynegul is one of the winners of a business fair funded under the joint programme of UNDP, UNFPA and FAO with the financial support of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region. With this support, Ziynegul has been able to turn her childhood passion into a thriving business that not only supports her family but also creates opportunities for other women in her district.   In March 2022, Ziynegul, along with 300 other women from the Bozatau, Kungrad, and Muynak districts, was trained in entrepreneurial skills by UNFPA trainers. At the end of the trainings, Ziynegul's business plan for beauty salon services received seed funding of USD 3,390. UNDP donated equipment and accessories for her salon, allowing her to expand and improve the range of services provided, attract more customers, and hire additional staff. Today the salon provides a variety of services such as make-up, pedicures, manicures, and hairdressing,  serving 10 to 12 clients a day, and employing six women, with plans to expand even further.  “These were very interesting and productive trainings that helped me, and many women gain confidence, master essential business and planning skills such as business development, family budgeting, business idea evaluation and implementation, marketing and time management methods.  I made many friends, and what is important, we constantly supported and still support each other, sharing experience and advice,” says Ziynegul.  “Fifteen years ago, I first started working in a beauty salon as an apprentice. It was very difficult, because required items and equipments were not easily available and I didn’t have the skills and knowledge it takes. It didn't always work out the way I wanted. There were moments when I wanted to quit everything, but I did not give up and continued to work hard on myself” recalls Ziynegul.  These days Ziynegul is thinking of expanding her business and is currently looking for a new building, where in addition to a beauty salon services she could offer rental services for wedding dresses. She has also trained 22 young girls in hairdressing and makeup and aims to train more of girls in her district, giving them new hopes.   Ziynegul’s story is one of resilience, determination, and support. Leading a thriving business, she also finds courage from having a supportive husband and family, whose livelihoods have also improved. For Ziynegul now, the sky is the limit.  About the Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan: The fund was established under the auspices of the United Nations in late 2018 and provides an integrated platform for national and international cooperation to meet the environmental and socio-economic needs of communities living in the Aral Sea region, as well as enhancing joint efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  Since its establishment, the Trust has worked to address food, environmental, social, economic and health security issues. As of January 2023, seven joint programs worth US$13.5 million have been funded to improve the lives of over 247,000 people, including youth, women, and the elderly. Thanks to generous support of Governments of Uzbekistan, Norway, Finland, Republic of Korea, Germany, European Union, and Alwaleed Philanthropies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Written by the UN Information Office in Tashkent with editorial support from the Development Coordination Office.  To learn more about the UN's work in Uzbekistan, please visit uzbekistan.un.org. 

“As a child, I often stood by the window of my room and looked out into the street, trying to catch the ringing laughter and funny jokes of the neighborhood children and friends. I simply wanted to get out of my room and play hide and seek or on a swing and just run around the streets. But I could not,” recalls Jurabek. Jurabek Kakharov was born in Surkhandarya region located in the extreme south-east of Uzbekistan.  At the age of five, he observed the first stages of vision loss as a result of a brain injury. “Unfortunately, the loss of vision became the main obstacle for me to communicate with my peers. But the desire to fully realize my potential and be a part of society has never left me; it was always with me,” says Jurabek. In 2017, Jurabek got his first job at the Center for Youth and Children with Disabilities in Tashkent after graduating from the National University of Uzbekistan, majoring in English philology.   “My childhood dream was to help people, and this dream is still my internal locomotive of action. While working and closely interacting with young people at the Center, I realized that young people had limited access to information, especially to Braille. Braille opens up many opportunities for blind and visually impaired people; it transforms their world, expands their knowledge, enriches intellectually and improves employability.” In 2019, Jurabek founded a private printing house “Braille Print.” Over the course of several years, dozens of books by popular Uzbek writers and poets, and a collection of Uzbek folk tales for children were translated into Braille in the printing house and provided to blind and visually impaired young people.  Currently, Jurabek works on disability inclusion, as part of the UN Joint Programme “Transformation of Social Service Delivery: Implementing Human Rights-Based Approach for Children, Youth and Women with Disabilities in Uzbekistan” funded by the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Multi-Partner Trust Fund and implemented by UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and OHCHR. The programme specifically focuses on providing accessible services that keep the specific needs of vulnerable groups at the heart to support their autonomy and inclusion. For instance, early identification and early interventions services at the community level that will help prevent the institutionalization of children with disabilities. Also, enhancing capacity of service providers that will drive to increased inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in programmes addressing gender-based violence. In the framework of the programme, UNICEF jointly with Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan has been conducting a series of trainings that empower and inform Organizations of People with Disabilities. In 2022, the trainings were held in 3 regions of Uzbekistan with more than 90 people, including representatives of these organizations as well as self-initiative groups and people with physical, visual, hearing disabilities. Participants gained knowledge about the essence of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the rights of children with disabilities and their parents, and the operationalization and registration of NGOs. In June 2021, Uzbekistan ratified the and reiterated its commitment to human rights and the importance of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the principles of the Convention, as well as the principle of Leaving No One Behind. Promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in line with the Convention and the Sustainable Development Goals, has been a key long-standing priority for the UN Country Team in delivering together in Uzbekistan. “Working in this programme is an opportunity to change the lives of people with disabilities for the better and make our society more inclusive. Every time I meet children with disabilities, I remember myself: standing near the window.  I firmly believe that our work can help tens of thousands of boys and girls in Uzbekistan live happily without fear and stigma in a society that does not leave them behind,” says Jurabek with a smile. Written by Anvar Meliboev Public Information Officer, UN Information Office in Tashkent.To learn more about the UN's work in Uzbekistan, please visit uzbekistan.un.org.      

Nozimahon is founder of the project «Online-Nurse», winner of the 5th round of the programme for supporting innovative ideas and start-up projects of youth «Startup-initiatives». She lives in Margilan, Fergana region. She’s 23 years old. The alumna of Fergana State University Nosimahon shared the following during the interview: Since I have a great interest in medicine, one idea has never left me alone. The majority of the population wants to be treated at home because it is difficult for elderly people, hard-to-walk patients and mothers with many children to go to the clinic. We thought of a convenient service for them. With the help of our project, people can receive the necessary care services at home or in nursing houses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I realized the relevance of my project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals and clinics were overcrowded, patients with mild illness were sent home. And they needed the services of nurses. This convinced me that I was moving in the right direction and that we could take our niche in the service market. I heard a lot about the Startup Initiative programme when I was a student. I applied for the programme because I thought I should take this opportunity, that it would help me realize my idea. I was very lucky, my application was chosen from the thousands of applications submitted and I had the opportunity to participate in the programme. The programme brought my idea to the level of a start-up project, helped to implement it. It helped us to correct mistakes, learn from experienced business representatives, get inspiration and make many new useful acquaintances. During the programme all lessons, meetings with businessmen, exchange of ideas with friends left unforgettable impressions. Particularly exciting was the DemoDay stage. The awards ceremony and events were very inspiring. All stages of the competition I liked and remembered. By winning the program, I received 50 million sums. We used this money for the first steps of our project. Participating in this programme has given us both knowledge and grant money, and in this way we were able to implement our project. In the beginning of 2022 we registered LLC «Online Nurse». I also took part in the competition «100 ideas for Uzbekistan» and took the prize place there too. Also participated and took honorary places on hackathons Tumaris, A-Hub and competition «First step in business». At the annual competition «We are together 2022» has entered the final part, which will be held in Moscow. Currently I participate in the competition «The first step to women’s business», I have passed 2 main qualifying rounds and I am waiting for the results of the final selection. I want to implement my project in all regions of Uzbekistan.    In March, the head office in Margilon was opened. Now we work in all districts of Fergana region. We have developed a mobile application called "Online Nurse". Using this app patients can order our services. I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity, for the help I have been given in realizing my goals and finding my place in society. I would especially like to express my gratitude to our mentors, who, sparing no time, helped us in the learning process, answering all our questions and giving correct explanations. I have set myself the goal of overcoming laziness, always working without despair, to become a man with strong will, and in the future to benefit people and society, and I will achieve it. I’m constantly working to prove that girls are able to be strong business owners. Never think, I cannot do this. The point is, what one person does, I’m sure the other person can do. The main thing is not to lose, not to give up. He must be able to overcome fear, uncertainty, laziness. Patiently you must constantly go to your goal. Only then you will succeed. My advice to my peers: Don’t stop learning, looking and trying! Because this life is given once. I wish you a bold step forward».

For 16 days every year, starting on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until December 10, Human Rights Day, the UN comes together with international partners, civil society organizations and communities around the world to join the ‘16 Days’ campaign to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. To mark this year’s campaign and raise awareness of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Uzbekistan, our UN country team interviewed a local activist and University Professor Kamola Alieva, who, after teaching law for over 10 years, established a grassroots student volunteering group to help tackle GBV in her community. The hallways of the Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL) are noisy as usual. But as soon as the university radio announces that the classes are about to begin, the scene changes – the noise quiets down and the crowd hurries toward the lecture hall where Associate Professor Kamola Alieva is about to start her morning lecture on Constitutional Law.   Kamola has been teaching at TSUL already for over a decade. Teaching for her is not just about creating future Uzbek lawyers, it also gives her the opportunity to meet and interact with different people and to conduct her research.     "Besides teaching, I have been researching subjects like violence against women, domestic violence, and harassment in the workplace. I have been doing this for several years now,” Kamola says. “I also regularly share my thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The point is It is important to me to openly talk about the problem of violence and the gender stereotypes which reinforce this very culture of violence. Yes, gender-based violence, unfortunately, does exist, and we cannot just turn a blind eye to it." 'Together we become stronger' A little over a year ago, Kamola founded a student volunteering group. To help advocate against gender-based violence and to spread the word about harmful gender stereotypes, the students created a series of short videos, which they later posted over social media. One of their videos, which staged a scene of a women being harassed on a busy Tashkent street and filmed the reactions from onlookers, received a particularly strong response from viewers. The clip got over 800,000 views and spiked a heated discussion in the comments section. Encouraged by the result, the team is now actively working on new content.         "We can't completely eradicate violence and inequality, but we can – and should – change people's attitude towards it. For example, the more people see domestic violence as a social problem, the more likely they and the society as a whole will be willing to get to the root of the problem. It is important to carry out educational and advocacy work, and it is crucial to engage young people in it.  I founded the volunteer group with this thought in mind, and now I see that more and more students are willing to join us,” – shares Kamola. “After all, together we become stronger". According to the Uzbek Interior Ministry, as of October 2022, 32,783 women and girls who had been subjected to harassment and violence received protection orders. “I often get messages from women and girls from different parts of Uzbekistan. They ask me for help and share photo- and video-proofs of them being abused. If I can't assist them, I redirect their appeals to the authorities. It is heartbreaking to read these messages and see women and girls suffering,” Kamola continues. “You know, it's as if I'm sharing the pain with them. Here we have a saying – ‘There is no such thing as someone else’s pain’. And I believe so too.” 'Someone’s ray of hope', or 'Do I really need to be doing this?' In 2021, Kamola gave an interview to one of Uzbekistan’s most popular media outlets, in which she argued that society still sees violence against women as a private family matter. She explained why this attitude must change. "After the interview came out, I was barraged with criticism, insults, and threats. This was very unpleasant and psychologically difficult for me. I even asked myself, "Do I really need to be doing this?" After all, my both mental and physical well-being was at stake. Many of Kamola’s friends and colleagues, showed their support with her advocacy efforts and encouraged her to carry on. But there were also those who tried to convince her to give it all up. "Until about 2016, I never thought we had a problem with domestic violence. But only because things like “gender equality” or “domestic violence” were never mentioned anywhere or spoken about. We grew up in a society where domestic violence was seen as a private family matter. Social pressure dictated that we have to stay meek and humble. And eventually, we just stopped resisting." Despite many hurdles, Kamola managed to stay motivated and carry on the fight. "My motivation came back when I realized, how many more people I could educate and help reduce gender-based violence. But the most moving moment was when I received a message from a woman who wrote: ‘You may be someone’s only ray of hope in the darkness. Please, don't give up’."  16 days and counting Each year on November 25, the "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" campaign kicks off all over the world. For Kamola Alieva, these 16 days are an important opportunity to shine a light on GBV issues in her own community, and mobilize action and support to end all forms of GBV in Uzbekistan. This year the UN Team in Uzbekistan together with its national partners, international organizations, and NGOs are planning several dozens of events and activities in support of “The 16 Days”. The key events include discussions on the promotion of gender equality (UNDP), the launch of the "Gender Equality in the Workplace" report (UNFPA), a ceremony to mark the completion of the educational program aiming to equip girls (including girls with disabilities) with digital skills (UNICEF). Among other planned events are a series of meetings with students of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan (UNODC) and discussions on the gender strategy to be adopted by the State Committee of Forestry of Uzbekistan (FAO).