Legal Normative Foundations of Increasing Social and Political

Activity of Women in Uzbekistan

Musurmanova Aynisa

and Akhmadalieva Khosiyatposhsho Abdukhayotovna

Research Institute “Family and Women” under the State Committee for

Family and Women of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan State World Languages University, Uzbekistan

Keywords: Women's Empowerment, Gender Equality, Legal Frameworks, Political Participation, Uzbekistan.

Abstract: The journey towards gender equality and women's empowerment in Uzbekistan has witnessed significant

strides in recent years, underpinned by a robust legal and normative framework aimed at fostering women's

socio-political participation. Historically entrenched gender roles have gradually evolved, catalyzed by

urbanization, educational reforms, and international commitments to women's rights. Central to this

transformation is Uzbekistan's legal architecture, exemplified by constitutional provisions guaranteeing

gender equality and non-discrimination. Legislative instruments such as the Law on Guarantees of Equal

Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men underscore the state's commitment to gender mainstreaming

across public spheres. Political participation has been bolstered through gender quotas in electoral bodies and

initiatives like the National Action Strategy for Gender Equality, reflecting a concerted effort to elevate

women's voices in decision-making processes. Complementary measures targeting social engagement and

economic empowerment further reinforce this trajectory, supported by governmental and non-governmental

entities. However, challenges persist, including entrenched gender stereotypes and gaps in implementation.

Addressing these obstacles necessitates innovative strategies and collaborative action to realise the vision of

a more equitable and inclusive society. The culmination of legislative advancements, institutional mechanisms,

and societal engagement underscores Uzbekistan's commitment to realising the full potential of its female

populace, heralding a promising era of gender equality and women's empowerment.

1 INTRODUCTION

The manuscript probes into Uzbekistan's

transformative journey toward socio-political

evolution, particularly its concerted efforts to foster

gender equality and elevate women's roles in public

life. Against a backdrop of shifting societal norms and

global dynamics, it meticulously examines the legal

frameworks and policy measures aimed at enhancing

women's social and political engagement.

Historically entrenched gender roles have yielded to

progressive legislative strides, with Uzbekistan's

Constitution enshrining principles of gender parity

and non-discrimination. Noteworthy advancements

include the adoption of gender quotas in political

arenas and initiatives promoting women's

entrepreneurship and education. However, challenges

persist, necessitating innovative strategies and

collaborative action. Through an array of

governmental programs and international

collaborations, Uzbekistan seeks to cultivate an

environment conducive to women's empowerment

and social inclusion. As the nation navigates toward

a more equitable future, this manuscript serves as a

beacon, illuminating the path towards comprehensive

gender equality and societal enrichment.

2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The socio-political transformation in Uzbekistan has

sparked efforts towards gender equality and women's

empowerment. Despite progress, challenges persist,

including entrenched gender stereotypes and limited

access to opportunities. Ensuring effective policy

implementation, international collaboration, and

targeted support are crucial for enhancing women's

participation in political, economic, and social

spheres, promoting a more equitable society.

Aynisa, M. and Abdukhayotovna, A.

Legal Normative Foundations of Increasing Social and Political Activity of Women in Uzbekistan.

DOI: 10.5220/0012785000003882

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 2nd Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies (PAMIR-2 2023), pages 223-227

ISBN: 978-989-758-723-8

223

3 OBJECTIVES

• Enhance policy implementation for

advancing gender equality and women's

empowerment.

• Foster international collaboration to address

gender-related challenges.

• Provide targeted support to overcome

entrenched gender stereotypes and barriers

to opportunities.

• Increase women's participation in political

decision-making processes.

• Promote women's economic empowerment

through tailored initiatives.

• Facilitate social inclusion by creating

avenues for women's active engagement.

• Cultivate a more equitable society by

addressing systemic barriers and promoting

positive change.

4 GENDER DYNAMICS AND

LEGAL FRAMEWORKS IN

UZBEKISTAN

4.1 Historical Context

Uzbekistan's historical narrative is deeply entwined

with traditional gender roles and societal structures.

Historically, Uzbek society has been patriarchal,

relegating women mainly to domestic roles with

limited access to education, employment, and

political involvement. Yet, recent decades have seen

notable shifts in societal perceptions of gender roles,

influenced by urbanization, educational reforms, and

international commitments to women's rights.

4.2 Legal Frameworks

At the heart of advancing women's rights in

Uzbekistan lies a robust legal framework ensuring

equal rights and opportunities for both genders. The

Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan embodies

principles of gender equality and non-discrimination,

laying the groundwork for subsequent legislative and

policy measures aimed at empowering women. Key

legal instruments, such as the Law on Guarantees of

Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men,

prohibit gender-based discrimination and advocate

for gender mainstreaming across public spheres.

4.3 Political Participation

In recent years, Uzbekistan has made significant

progress in augmenting women's representation in

political decision-making arenas. The

implementation of gender quotas for electoral bodies,

including the Oliy Majlis (parliament) and local

councils, has bolstered female presence in legislative

bodies. Moreover, the establishment of the Women's

Committee of Uzbekistan and the National Action

Strategy for Gender Equality underscores the

government's dedication to fostering women's

political engagement and leadership roles.

4.4 Governmental Initiatives and

Challenges

The Uzbekistani government has enacted

approximately 20 regulatory and legal documents to

safeguard women's rights and expand their

opportunities. A strategic plan to achieve gender

equality by 2030 has been devised, resulting in a

surge of women in public administration and

increased participation in public affairs and decision-

making processes.

Despite strides made, substantial gender disparities

persist globally, notably in education. Although

women's education has progressed significantly, over

17 million girls worldwide still lack access to

schooling. Additionally, women remain

underrepresented in scientific research, with only a

third of researchers being female globally.

Addressing deep-seated gender stereotypes,

enhancing resource accessibility, and bridging

implementation gaps in gender equality laws are vital

steps in overcoming remaining challenges and seizing

opportunities for positive change in Uzbekistan.

5 HIVE: A HUB FOR WOMEN IN

SCIENCE

The advancement of women in science and education

has been a focal point in Uzbekistan, underscored by

the government's commitment to providing

substantial support and incentives for female

participation and leadership in these fields. Notably,

starting from the 2022/2023 academic year, an

additional 2,000 state grants will be allocated to

women pursuing full-time undergraduate education,

provided they possess a recommendation letter from

the State Committee for Family and Women and do

not hold higher education qualifications. Moreover, at

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least 50% of these grants designated for women with

recommendation letters will be directed towards

disciplines encompassing exact and natural sciences,

engineering, and medicine.

In an effort to foster a conducive environment for

women in science and education, various legislative

measures have been enacted. These include

provisions mandating the nomination of at least thirty

percent of political party candidates for the

Legislative Chamber and local councils to be women,

ensuring equal participation of women and men in

civil service positions, and offering financial

assistance to women from needy families pursuing

higher education.

Furthermore, a Presidential Decree dated March 7,

2022, outlines additional privileges aimed at further

supporting women in science and education. These

include interest-free loans for women studying in

universities, technical institutes, and colleges,

covering tuition fees for women pursuing master's

degrees in state higher education institutions, and

allocating grants specifically for women's bachelor's

and master's degrees through the "El-Yurt Umid"

fund.

In parallel, initiatives to enhance the representation of

women in leadership roles and promote innovation in

science have been proposed. These encompass

specialised training courses for women leaders,

increased female representation in master's degree

programs at the Academy of Public Administration,

and the establishment of forums and competitions

aimed at recognising and promoting the contributions

of women in various sectors.

Additionally, efforts to bolster science development

among women involve holding annual contests such

as the "Scientist Woman" competition and offering

training courses on innovative management.

Moreover, targeted internships abroad and financial

support from the Science Funding and Innovation

Support Fund further facilitate the professional

growth of women in science and education.

Overall, these multifaceted initiatives underscore

Uzbekistan's concerted efforts to empower women in

science and education, fostering an environment

conducive to gender equality and inclusive socio-

economic development.

6 ENHANCING WOMEN'S

EMPOWERMENT AND

INCLUSION

In light of the preceding analysis, this section presents

actionable recommendations to bolster women's

socio-political empowerment, economic stability, and

social integration in Uzbekistan.

6.1 Enhancing Women's Political

Participation

There is a crucial need to ensure the effective

implementation of state policies aimed at supporting

women, with a specific focus on augmenting women's

engagement in political leadership roles.

Collaborative efforts involving the Ministry of

Poverty Reduction and Employment and the

Research Institute of Family and Women are

imperative in this regard. Strategies may include the

establishment of mentorship programs, targeted

training initiatives, and advocacy campaigns to

encourage women's active involvement in political

management.

6.2 Socio-Political Empowerment

To safeguard women's rights and advance their socio-

political participation, concerted actions are required.

This entails organising women's work within specific

organisations, generating employment opportunities,

facilitating skill enhancement programmes for

women returning from childcare leave, and

integrating them into various public initiatives. The

Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment,

along with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of

Uzbekistan, must collaborate to enact policies

conducive to women's empowerment and active

engagement.

6.3 Financial Support Mechanisms

Collaborative endeavours with international financial

institutions, foundations, and organisations are

indispensable for providing preferential loans to

economically vulnerable women. Additionally, the

establishment of a women's bank, financed through

contributions, could serve as a pivotal resource for

empowering women economically. Coordination

between the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and

Employment, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic

of Uzbekistan, and the Central Bank of the Republic

of Uzbekistan is essential to facilitate these initiatives.

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225

6.4 Social Welfare and Assistance

Timely identification and resolution of challenges

faced by women in precarious social circumstances

are imperative. This necessitates the provision of

comprehensive social, legal, psychological, and

material support to women in need. Collaboration

between the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and

Employment and the Research Institute of Family and

Women is essential to ensure the effective

implementation of these support measures.

6.5 Targeted Employment and

Entrepreneurship Initiatives

Addressing issues related to women's employment,

improving working conditions, and promoting

entrepreneurship, particularly in rural areas, is vital.

Collaborative efforts involving the Ministry of

Poverty Reduction and Employment are essential to

design and implement targeted programmes aimed at

enhancing women's economic participation and

empowerment.

6.6 Rehabilitation and Reintegration of

Marginalised Women

Close cooperation between government bodies and

civil society institutions is imperative to facilitate the

social rehabilitation and reintegration of women

reintegrating into society after being released from

penal institutions. The Ministry of Poverty Reduction

and Employment and the Ministry of Internal Affairs

of the Republic of Uzbekistan should collaborate

closely to develop and implement comprehensive

reintegration programs.

6.7 Gender-Sensitive Migration Policies

The development of gender-sensitive approaches to

migration management policies is paramount.

Collaboration between the Ministry of Poverty

Reduction and Employment and the Ministry of

Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan is

essential to ensure that migration policies address the

specific needs and challenges faced by women

migrants, including protection from exploitation and

access to essential services.

7 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Uzbekistan's pursuit of gender equality

and women's empowerment relies on the foundational

legal and normative frameworks highlighted in this

study. These frameworks not only signify progress

but also signify catalysts for further advancement. By

nurturing an environment conducive to women's

active engagement in social and political spheres,

Uzbekistan can fully harness the capabilities of its

female populace, fostering a society that is both

equitable and inclusive.

Efforts to address socio-political, economic, and

cultural barriers hindering women's participation

must be underpinned by the principle of equality. It is

imperative to tackle these challenges

comprehensively, considering the rights, interests,

potentials, and opportunities of all women. Through

collaborative and targeted measures, Uzbekistan can

overcome existing hurdles, paving the way for

enhanced gender parity and the substantive inclusion

of women in all aspects of public life.

Continued commitment to advancing women's rights,

coupled with proactive policy interventions and

institutional support, will be instrumental in shaping

a future where women's voices are heard, valued, and

integrated into the fabric of Uzbekistan's socio-

political landscape. As the nation strives towards this

collective vision, it underscores its dedication to

fostering a society where every individual, regardless

of gender, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to

national progress and prosperity.

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