President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has awarded the Mardlik (Courage) Order to the seamstress and businesswoman Dilorom Yuldosheva, who was included in the BBC 100 Women of inspiring and influential women from around the world in 2024.
"We need to set such strong-willed and resilient people as an example to everyone, they are worthy of our immense pride," the president said at today’s government meeting dedicated to social protection.
The head of state also ordered that at least five motivational documentaries and feature films about such individuals be made next year.
The BBC published the list of 100 inspiring and influential women of 2024 in early December.
Two years ago, Dilorom Yuldosheva lost both legs in a harvesting accident. But that did not stop her from dreaming big.
She wanted to learn new skills while also helping young Uzbek women make a living, so she decided to set up her own sewing business.
She learnt the basics of entrepreneurship and resource management and went on to train more than 40 apprentices. Within months, her company grew significantly, running free workshops and securing contracts to produce uniforms for workers and school children.
Her business has since become a source of income for her and dozens of other women.