Mongolia, Uzbekistan Join Forces to Boost Women’s Empowerment

Mongolian Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Protection Aubakir Telukhan has met with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and Head of the State Committee on Family and Women, Zulayho Bahriddinovna Mahkamova, to discuss strategies for promoting women’s employment, social participation, and gender equality.

Telukhan highlighted Mongolia’s recent establishment of the Ministry of Family in 2024, a move aimed at safeguarding the rights of women and children while improving the legal framework supporting gender equality, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

In turn, Mahkamova underscored Uzbekistan’s ongoing efforts to increase women’s social participation, noting that the State Committee on Family and Women provides low-interest loans and free training programs to support women entrepreneurs.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Mongolia ranked 85th out of 143 countries. While the country excelled globally in educational attainment, health, and survival, it ranked 43rd in economic participation and opportunity and 120th in political empowerment.

Women’s representation in Mongolia’s State Great Khural (Parliament) has also improved significantly, rising from 13 members (17.4 percent) in the 2020-2024 Parliament to 32 members following the 2024 elections.

Both countries recognized opportunities to further collaborate on sharing best practices and boosting women’s participation in social and economic life, the Mongolian Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection said.

The meeting also reflects Mongolia’s broader commitment to regional and international cooperation, following its hosting of the 10th Foreign Ministers’ meeting of FEALAC.