Women in Surkhandarya allegedly forced into cotton harvesting by deputy governor

A video message circulating on social media shows Dilfuza Toshmatova, the deputy Head of Sariosiyo district and Head of the family and women’s affairs department in Surkhandarya, allegedly forcing local women activists to participate in cotton harvesting.

In the footage, Toshmatova can be heard instructing each activist to bring five people to the fields and demanding that 150 people be present in the fields at all times. She reportedly warned that those who resisted could leave without “showing wisdom”, implying pressure to comply.

The Surkhandarya regional administration has officially responded, stating that the matter is under the personal supervision of Governor Ulugbek Kasimov. Relevant authorities are currently investigating the incident.

”The regional administration emphasizes that, before the start of the cotton harvest season, surveys were conducted in the districts, and only lists of voluntary pickers were compiled. Active and initiative women in the mahallas were appointed as squad leaders. The Surkhandarya regional administration strictly condemns any form of forced labor. No official has been given instructions to compel employees to participate in cotton harvesting. Should the investigation confirm such a case, appropriate measures will be taken within the framework of the law”, the administration stated.

It is worth noting that earlier, reports emerged that teachers at school no. 9 in the Xovos district of the Syrdarya region had been subjected to forced labor. Following this, the district’s Preschool and General Education department head faced disciplinary action, and the school principal’s suitability for the position was also reviewed. Additionally, the district governor, Ulug‘bek Yuldoshev, received a ”reprimand” disciplinary penalty for failing to establish adequate oversight in educational institutions and for not effectively conducting the necessary awareness and advocacy work.