Traditional views on gender roles in Uzbekistan continue to pose a significant barrier to economic and social equality for women. 77% of the country's population believe that women should work less and devote more time to household duties. These figures were presented on March 6 at the Women in Power forum by Zelixa Unaldi, head of the UN Women representation in Uzbekistan.
34% of respondents believe that women should receive lower wages to "maintain balance in the family." The current employment rate among women is significantly lower than among men, with this gap particularly pronounced among young and middle-aged individuals. For example, 56% of women aged 25–34 are employed, whereas among men of the same age, this indicator stands at 93%.
The main reason for women's unemployment is unpaid domestic labor and care for family members. Men, on the other hand, are more often not working due to studies, illness, or job searching. According to Zelixa Unaldi, systematic initiatives by international organizations, businesses, and civil society, as well as local projects aimed at supporting women and expanding their economic opportunities, could accelerate the achievement of equality.
Preliminary results of a study on obstacles women face in professional environments were also presented at the forum. This is the first project in Central Asia initiated by the private sector for an in-depth analysis of gender gaps. The project's goal is to transform analytical data into practical tools to support women's careers.
As the lead expert of the study, gender equality specialist Kamola Aliyeva participated, who has experience working on the law criminalizing domestic violence in Uzbekistan. The initiative was supported by the Foreign Investors Council under the President of Uzbekistan (FIC) and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). The project initiator was the energy company Acwa Power.
The analysis identified seven systemic constraints, although their specific details were not fully disclosed at the forum. Based on the study's findings, plans are underway to develop a system of "career lifts" aimed at hiring women and promoting them to leadership positions.
Source: www.gazeta.uz