On May 16, 2025, at the initiative of the Research Institute "Family and Gender" under the Committee on Family and Women's Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, an international scientific and practical conference was held on the topic: “Current Issues in Strengthening the Family Institution: A Prosperous Family — A Sustainable Future”.

The conference addressed important topics such as the role of the family institution in today's global social environment, the protection of women's legal and social interests, the effective implementation of gender policy, and the promotion of societal stability.

Participants exchanged views during five thematic sessions, covering the following areas: “The ‘Green Family’ Model: International Experience and National Approaches,” “Family Well-being and Poverty Reduction — A Criterion for Demographic Sustainability and Social Development,” “Mechanisms for Shaping a Culture of Responsible Parenthood,” “Social, Economic, Legal, and Moral-Spiritual Solutions to Improve Youth Preparedness for Family Life,” and “Ensuring Gender Equality in the Family — A Guarantee of Sustainable Development.”

The conference brought together around 20 international experts, over 80 scholars specializing in family issues, and representatives of relevant ministries and agencies. Additionally, 30 national and 12 foreign and international experts and specialists delivered presentations and reports at the event.

The Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr” also actively participated in this international event. The Center’s First Deputy Director, Viktoriya Sergeyevna Alekseyeva, and Head of the Press Service, Dildora Olimjonovna Akhmedova, spoke at the conference sessions, sharing findings from sociological surveys conducted by the Center in recent years.

According to the experts participating in the conference, recent years have seen a growing public demand for the spiritual, moral, educational, and social functions of the family. Indeed, monitoring surveys conducted by “Ijtimoiy Fikr” in 2023–2024 revealed that citizens consider child-rearing and strong family relationships to be crucial components of state policy. Moreover, respondents emphasized the importance of equal opportunities for women in employment and education as key conditions for ensuring social stability in society.

During the conference, which included representatives of international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society, a number of timely scientific recommendations were developed. Priority areas identified included strengthening the role of local psychological services for early detection of family issues, expanding women’s participation in decision-making processes, and ensuring shared responsibility between the state and society in matters of education and upbringing.

The outcomes of the event opened new perspectives for the further development of the family institution in Uzbekistan, for reinforcing the link between scientific analysis and the practical implementation of gender policy, and for expanding international cooperation.