The Institution of Mahalla in New Uzbekistan Plays an Important Role in Supporting the Social Activity of Citizens

Since ancient times, the mahalla has served as an important place on our land where public opinion was shaped, the problems of the population were solved, and traditions were formed.

The main principles of the mahalla's activities in Uzbekistan include the rule of law, the priority of human rights, freedoms and legal interests, democracy, transparency, social justice, independence in resolving local issues, mutual public support, social partnership, and consideration of local customs and traditions. Citizens—regardless of gender, race, nationality, language, religion, social background, beliefs, or personal and public status—have equal rights to self-governance.

Self-governance of citizens is an integral part of democracy. Therefore, in our country, which is confidently moving towards building a strong rule-of-law state and a just civil society, the role and importance of the mahalla as a democratic governance system is increasing. Relevant goals and objectives are defined in the Presidential Decree "On Measures to Improve the Socio-Spiritual Atmosphere in Society, Further Support for the Institution of Mahalla, and Raising the System of Work with Families and Women to a New Level" dated February 18, 2020. Over the past period, comprehensive measures have been implemented to establish an effective cooperation system based on the principle “mahalla – sector – People’s Reception – mahalla” to identify and solve public problems and to ensure the real formation of mahallas as a reliable bridge between citizens and the state.

When talking about the development of the mahalla institution, it is impossible not to mention the unique “mahallabay” system proposed by the President. Under this system, commercial banks, mahalla chairpersons, sector leaders, and responsible officials in the fields of employment and labor relations, taxation, finance, economic development, and poverty reduction work closely in each citizen's gathering of the mahalla (CGM). They study the situation in families and develop "roadmaps" for solving specific problems. Work in the “mahallabay” system is conducted locally in three stages.

In the process of improving state and public construction, enhancing the role of the mahalla in society is always foreseen. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has repeatedly emphasized that a modern mahalla should possess not only legal but also sufficient material and technical resources to effectively carry out its tasks, acting as a bridge between the people and the state, and always staying informed about the joys and concerns of the population.

Currently, special attention is given to increasing the role of the mahalla in the socio-economic life of the country. To identify and eliminate social issues that concern the public most, the practice has been established where the mahalla chairperson conducts discussions and state body leaders report at the mahalla council. Additionally, the “mahalla control” and “mahalla chairperson’s request” mechanisms are in place.

Today, we can say that the mahalla has become a powerful social force capable of resolving any issue and guiding citizens on the right path. A solid legal framework exists in this sphere, giving self-governing bodies special responsibilities. In particular, the mahalla is tasked with supporting low-income families, allocating and distributing benefits for families with minors, solving socio-economic and cultural development issues of citizens, and resolving conflicts.

As President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted: “As a logical continuation of this course, we have developed the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan. At its core are the tasks of building a people-oriented and humane state that ensures the legal interests and well-being of every citizen, regardless of their nationality, language, or religion, based on the continued development of a free civil society. In short, this is the full realization of our key principle: ‘In the name of human honor and dignity.’ From now on, we organize our activities within the new paradigm of ‘individual – society – state.’”

The word "mahalla" comes from Arabic and means "place" or "district." It is a territorial public association that encompasses small settlements or parts of cities, ensuring the proximity of authorities to the population and strengthening community ties. Mahallas assist those in need, including large families, pensioners, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. They help citizens with documentation and organize charitable activities. The mahalla institution is a unique social and administrative structure that plays an important role in organizing local self-governance and ensuring communication between citizens and state bodies. CGMs often serve as venues for cultural, educational, and sports events, thereby contributing to the strengthening of community ties. Mahallas are also responsible for improving local areas, protecting the environment, and constructing and renovating public facilities. In recent years, the role of mahallas in managing local affairs has grown in the republic, aligning with the goals of reforms aimed at improving quality of life at the local level.

Mahallas play a direct role in the youth policy of the country. At the President’s initiative, the system of working with the younger generation in CGMs has been radically improved. Effective operations of electronic platforms such as “Youth Notebook” and “Youth Portal” have been established, and mechanisms for direct dialogue between leaders and young citizens have been introduced. One of these is the introduction of the position of youth leader in mahallas, acting as the President’s direct representative. The work is conducted in four stages: mahalla – district – region – republic, ensuring a vertical system that makes it more effective and efficient.

Youth programs have been adopted in each mahalla across the republic, reflecting all issues and proposals voiced by young men and women. These are aimed at solving employment issues for young people and organizing their leisure activities.

CGMs pay great attention to working with youth by involving them in implementing the President’s Five Important Initiatives. Special focus is given to engaging youth in crafts, sewing, promoting environmental awareness, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Events are regularly held to educate the population and students, including interactive games for children and special citizen meetings where they can learn about environmental campaigns, innovations in various fields, and receive legal information.

Another important area of mahalla activity is the protection of women’s rights and interests, vocational training, and involvement in entrepreneurship. For this purpose, the “Women’s Notebook” was created to help women in difficult social situations. In working with women listed in this notebook, mahallas focus on their employment, self-employment, housing rental subsidies, and provision of material, medical, legal, and psychological support.

The strategic tasks of the current stage of reforms in New Uzbekistan are aimed at building a democratic state. The mahalla plays a key role in supporting the social activity of citizens, strengthening guarantees of protection of their rights and legal interests, and fundamentally reforming the organizational and legal mechanisms for ensuring a healthy and stable socio-spiritual environment. Effective operation of citizen self-governing bodies is one of the factors ensuring the conscious and active participation of people in the implementation of large-scale reforms.

Diloromkhon Kambarova
Professor at Fergana State University,
Associate Professor, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences