Legal Strategies for Increasing Women's Political and Social

Involvement in Uzbekistan

Musurmanova Aynisa

and Akhmadalieva Khosiyatposhsho Abdukhayotovna

State Committee on Family and Women Republic of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan State World Languages University, Uzbekistan

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

Abstract: This article scrutinises the legal and normative structures designed to enhance the social and political

engagement of women in Uzbekistan. It explores the historical backdrop, legislative progress, and institutional

frameworks, highlighting significant advancements towards gender equality and women's empowerment. A

detailed examination of relevant statutes, policies, and initiatives sheds light on the developments, obstacles,

and future directions for promoting women's rights and participation within Uzbek society. This research

accentuates the pivotal role that legal and normative frameworks play in advancing gender equality and

elevating the voices of women in social and political arenas, thereby contributing to more inclusive and

democratic governance. This scholarly analysis is indispensable for understanding the dynamics of women’s

evolving roles in Uzbekistan.

1 INTRODUCTION

In recent years, Uzbekistan has witnessed a

remarkable transformation in its approach towards

gender equality, underpinned by a robust legal

framework designed to elevate the status of women

within its socio-political sphere. The nation's

Constitution vehemently supports the principles of

gender parity, offering a foundational bedrock from

which various legislative initiatives have sprung.

Noteworthy among these is the Law on Guarantees of

Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men,

a pivotal piece of legislation that actively combats

gender-based discrimination and underscores the

necessity of gender mainstreaming across all sectors

(Ballington 2012). This legal architecture not only

reinforces women’s rights but also ensures that these

rights are woven into the fabric of everyday

governance and public policy-making, facilitating a

more inclusive and equitable society. This legal and

normative groundwork has catalysed a palpable shift

in societal attitudes towards traditional gender roles,

particularly over the last few decades. Influences such

as rapid urbanisation, educational reforms, and

Uzbekistan’s engagement with global women’s rights

movements have played significant roles in reshaping

public perceptions and expectations. As a result, there

has been a marked increase in women's participation

in areas traditionally dominated by men, including

politics and higher education, signalling a progressive

dismantling of the patriarchal structures that have

historically dictated social norms in Uzbekistan. This

evolution not only highlights the ongoing

commitment to gender equality but also underscores

the essential role of women in the sustainable

development and democratic governance of the

country.

2 ANALYSIS

In recent years, Uzbekistan has made commendable

progress in enhancing the role of women in political

spheres. The introduction of gender quotas within

electoral bodies, including the Oliy Majlis

(parliament) and local councils, has significantly

boosted female representation in legislative

frameworks. The formation of the Women's

Committee of Uzbekistan, coupled with the

implementation of the National Action Strategy for

Gender Equality, reflects a robust governmental drive

to promote female participation and leadership in

politics. Furthermore, the government has enacted

approximately 20 regulatory and legal documents

Aynisa, M. and Abdukhayotovna, A.

Legal Strategies for Increasing Women’s Political and Social Involvement in Uzbekistan.

DOI: 10.5220/0012865700003882

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 425-428

ISBN: 978-989-758-723-8

425

aimed at protecting women's rights and fostering

gender equality. This initiative forms part of a broader

strategy planned to extend through 2030, focusing on

elevating the presence of women in public

administration and enhancing their roles in public

decision-making processes.

Political Parity: Globally, however, challenges

remain in the realm of gender equality, particularly in

education and scientific fields. Despite advances,

over 17 million girls worldwide are deprived of

school education, as highlighted by the UNESCO

Institute of Statistics. This educational deficit

contributes to a disproportionate representation of

women in literacy statistics, with women constituting

more than two-thirds of the global adult illiterate

population. In the scientific community, although

women are active participants and often at the

forefront of ground-breaking research, they still

represent only a third of researchers globally.

Recognition of their work remains significantly low,

evidenced by the fact that less than 4% of Nobel

Prizes in sciences have been awarded to women, and

only a meagre 11% of senior research positions in

Europe are occupied by women. This highlights a

persistent global challenge in achieving gender parity

in critical areas of education and professional

recognition in science.

Inclusive Policies: Uzbekistan has intensified its

commitment to enhancing women's social

engagement and economic empowerment, marking a

significant shift in governmental priorities. Various

initiatives, meticulously designed to augment

women's entrepreneurship, widen their access to

education and healthcare, and fortify protections

against gender-based violence, have been

spearheaded by both governmental and non-

governmental entities. The National Commission on

Gender Equality has been particularly pivotal,

playing a crucial role in both the implementation and

oversight of these initiatives. Through these

concerted efforts, a foundation is being laid to foster

an environment that not only nurtures women's

empowerment but also ensures their inclusive

participation across all societal sectors. However, the

journey towards gender equality and the

empowerment of women in Uzbekistan encounters

persistent obstacles. Deep-rooted gender stereotypes

continue to impinge on women's access to equal

opportunities, presenting a significant challenge to

the realisation of their full potential. Moreover,

discrepancies between the formulation of gender

equality laws and their practical enforcement further

exacerbate these challenges. Despite these hurdles,

such challenges offer fertile ground for innovation

and collaboration. There is a burgeoning opportunity

to engage various sectors in collective action, aiming

to dismantle systemic barriers and champion a

transformative agenda that will facilitate substantial

and enduring change in the societal fabric of

Uzbekistan.

One noteworthy stride in this direction was the

presidential decree issued on 12th June 2020, which

significantly adjusted the state's approach to higher

education admissions. This directive sanctioned an

additional 4 percent of state grants specifically for

women, equating to 940 places, thereby necessitating

a recommendation letter from the Ministry of

Neighbourhood and Family Support for eligibility.

This initiative not only elevated the participation of

women in higher education by 7.5 times but also

focused on propelling women into predominantly

male-dominated fields such as natural and technical

sciences. To further bolster this endeavour, from the

academic year 2022/2023, an additional 2,000 state

grants are earmarked for women lacking higher

education, provided they secure a recommendation

from the State Committee for Family and Women.

Notably, at least half of these grants are designated

for studies in the exact sciences, engineering, and

medicine, underlining a strategic push to integrate

women into these critical sectors. This progressive

educational framework exemplifies the dynamic

shifts underway in Uzbekistan, highlighting a

profound commitment to reshaping the educational

landscape to be more inclusive and equitable for

women. In the Republic of Uzbekistan, significant

legislative strides have been made to bolster the

participation of women in the realms of science and

education, reflecting a national commitment to

gender equality and the empowerment of women. The

Electoral Code mandates that at least thirty percent of

the candidates nominated by political parties for both

the Legislative Chamber and local councils must be

women, fostering increased female political

representation. Additionally, the law ensures equal

participation of men and women in civil service

competitions, including for managerial roles. This is

further supported by specific provisions for

economically disadvantaged women, who receive

preferential treatment in higher education admissions

through state grants and recommended participation,

aimed at diminishing the educational disparity and

promoting inclusivity.

Legislative Supports: Further enhancing these

measures, the Uzbek government has implemented

financial support mechanisms to alleviate the

economic barriers women face in pursuing education.

Presidential and governmental decrees have allocated

substantial funds to facilitate women’s education at

various levels. For example, interest-free loans

funded by 1.8 trillion soums have been made

available to women pursuing higher education on a

part-time or evening basis, covering contract fees

PAMIR-2 2023 - The Second Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies- | PAMIR

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entirely for those studying at the master's level in state

institutions. Additionally, initiatives such as the

allocation of 50 additional bachelor's and 10 master's

scholarships annually through the "El-Yurt Umid"

fund exemplify the targeted support aimed at

fostering female academic advancement. The

government has also dedicated resources to support

500 women with significant professional experience

but no higher education, offering them the

opportunity to study under a state higher education

institution based on separate entrance examinations.

Moreover, a minimum of 300 annual doctoral quotas

for women in state scientific organisations

underscores the commitment to advancing women's

roles in higher academia and research, reinforcing

Uzbekistan’s agenda to create a robust framework for

supporting women in achieving their full educational

and professional potential.

Women's Leadership: In Uzbekistan, a

concerted effort is underway to enhance the

representation and empowerment of women in both

public administration and scientific domains. The

Academy of Public Administration under the

President of the Republic has committed to a

proactive agenda aimed at fostering female

leadership. This includes dedicated training courses

specifically for women, with an ambitious target to

train at least 100 women leaders annually. Moreover,

the academy plans to increase the proportion of

women recommended for its master's programmes to

30 percent. An innovative approach involves the

creation of a "Women's School of Leaders"

educational programme, where women from the

national personnel reserve are provided training and

international internships funded by the "El-Yurt

Umid" foundation. This initiative is complemented

by the "Dialogue of Leading Women" platform,

established to facilitate discussions and exchanges

among women leaders across various regions.

Additionally, the State Service Development

Agency's portal, mo.argos.uz, will list women who

have advanced their qualifications through these

programmes, ensuring transparency and recognition

of their professional development. Parallel to these

developments in public administration, significant

strides are being made in fostering the scientific and

innovative capacities of women. Annually, the

"Scientist Woman" contest is held every March,

encouraging women to present practical innovative

projects, thus boosting their visibility and integration

into the scientific community. The training on

"Innovative Management" is specifically tailored for

women in science and education to prepare them for

senior roles by enhancing their managerial

competences. Those who excel in this course may

benefit from targeted internships abroad, further

enriching their expertise and professional networks.

Financial support is also robust, with substantial

funds allocated for initiatives like the "The First Step

for Women's Business" competition, which supports

female-led innovation financially. Complementarily,

efforts are broadened to include legal and educational

support mechanisms such as the "Gender-madad"

electronic consultation platform and educational

reforms aimed at increasing female participation in

the sciences within secondary education. These

multifaceted initiatives not only underscore a

commitment to gender equality but also aim to

harness the full potential of women in Uzbekistan,

promoting their participation and leadership in fields

traditionally dominated by men.

3 RECOMMENDATION

Enhancing Women’s Political Participation:

Initiate comprehensive training programs for women

in leadership and governance, supported by targeted

recruitment campaigns to increase women's

representation in political management roles.

Collaboration with local women's NGOs can amplify

outreach and effectiveness.

Legal Rights and Job Opportunities: Develop

legal frameworks that prioritize the protection of

women’s rights in the workplace. Implement

initiatives to create new job opportunities, especially

for women returning from childcare leave, which may

include skill enhancement programs and access to

flexible work arrangements.

Financial Inclusion and Support: Partner with

international financial institutions to facilitate access

to low-interest loans specifically designed for socially

vulnerable women. Consider the establishment of a

dedicated women's bank to manage these resources

effectively and sustainably.

Addressing Social Challenges: Establish a

monitoring system to proactively identify and address

the problems faced by women in difficult social

situations. This should integrate social, legal,

psychological, and material support mechanisms to

deliver timely and comprehensive aid.

Employment and Entrepreneurship in Rural

Areas: Launch initiatives that specifically support

rural women in securing employment and starting

family businesses. Programs that provide technical

training and financial literacy in crafts and agriculture

can be particularly beneficial.

Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated

Women: Create programs that focus on the social

rehabilitation and vocational training of women

released from penal institutions, ensuring their

successful reintegration into society through

coordinated efforts with civil society.

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427

Gender-Sensitive Migration Policies: Develop a

gender-sensitive approach to migration policies that

considers the unique challenges and needs of women

migrants. This should include special provisions for

the safety, legal protection, and economic

empowerment of female migrants.

4 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the pursuit of gender equality and the

empowerment of women in Uzbekistan is not merely

a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for

sustainable development and societal advancement.

The legal-normative frameworks established thus far

provide a robust foundation from which to advance

the cause of women’s equality. However, the full

realization of this vision requires continuous and

concerted efforts across various sectors of society.

It is imperative that Uzbekistan intensifies its

initiatives to dismantle the multifaceted barriers that

hinder women's active participation in the socio-

political life of the state. This involves addressing not

only legal and policy deficiencies but also

challenging the deep-seated socio-cultural norms and

practices that perpetuate gender disparities. Ensuring

the implementation of existing laws and the

introduction of innovative policies that proactively

support women's inclusion and rights can catalyse

significant change.

Economic empowerment is also crucial. By

enhancing women's access to education, employment

opportunities, and financial resources, Uzbekistan

can significantly amplify the economic independence

and social status of women. Such measures will not

only improve the quality of life for women but also

contribute to the broader economic prosperity of the

nation. Additionally, promoting women's

participation in leadership roles across all levels of

government and private sectors can serve as a

powerful demonstration of gender parity and reshape

public perceptions about women's capabilities.

Furthermore, it is essential to foster a

participatory approach that involves women in the

decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Empowering women to voice their needs and

opinions can lead to more inclusive and effective

governance. Support systems, such as childcare

facilities, healthcare services, and legal assistance,

must be strengthened to enable women to participate

fully in both public and private spheres without

disproportionate personal or familial sacrifice.

Finally, ongoing education and awareness-raising

initiatives are vital. Educating both men and women

about the benefits of gender equality and the

detrimental impacts of gender-based discrimination

can cultivate a more supportive environment for the

implementation of gender equality policies.

In sum, while Uzbekistan has made commendable

strides towards gender equality, the path ahead

remains challenging yet promising. Sustained effort,

backed by strong legal frameworks, policies, and

cultural change initiatives, is crucial. By embracing a

holistic approach that addresses the legal, economic,

and cultural dimensions of gender inequality,

Uzbekistan can ensure that its journey towards gender

equality results in a fair, just, and prosperous society

for all citizens.

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