In public discussions, feminism is often portrayed as a foreign concept for Uzbek society, damaging traditional values and pitting women against men. The newspaper compiled these widespread stereotypes, formulated them as questions, and asked for responses from Irina Matviyenko, founder of the anti-violence project Nemolchi.uz, and its coordinator Nigina Khudoybergenova.
Irina Matviyenko emphasized that labeling feminism solely as a “European phenomenon” is incorrect, as women in various regions historically played active roles in socio-political life long before modern feminist movements emerged. She cited examples like the ruler and warrior Tumaris in Central Asian history, showing that the idea of female leadership and decision-making is not new or “Western.” She also noted the founding of the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco in the 9th century by a woman named Fatima al-Fihri.
Nigina Khudoybergenova stated that feminism is related to women’s awareness of their rights being restricted, and it is wrong to consider it exclusively European, since revolutionary movements in early 20th-century Russia also raised the “woman question,” and Central Asian history includes examples of female solidarity. She stressed that the struggle for expanding women’s rights is not just a Western idea but an expression of women’s internal need for equal opportunities.
Irina Matviyenko, referencing the constant evolution of society and changing norms, explained that feminists do not advocate for abolishing the family institution but discuss a family free from violence, development opportunities for women, and fair distribution of responsibilities within the family, emphasizing partnership relationships.
Nigina Khudoybergenova argued that opposing “traditional values” and new ideas is misguided, as any societal change faces resistance, similar to how new technologies were seen as threats during the Industrial Revolution. She asserted that it is more important to talk about values rather than traditions, and if a “tradition” leads to injustice, re-evaluating it is a natural process.
Irina Matviyenko introduced the concept of social reproduction in economics, highlighting that raising children, caring for family members, and household chores constitute invisible labor, and this burden often falls on women in many families. She noted that in developed countries, issues of recognizing this labor and fairly distributing the load are actively debated.
Irina Matviyenko clarified that the idea of equality is not tied to biological differences, as most countries’ legislation enshrines the principle of all people being equal, and the problem lies in society being structured around the “strong” individual, with urban infrastructure needing to be accessible for all groups.
Nigina Khudoybergenova, based on World Bank reports, explained the gender pay gap, linking it to concepts like the “glass ceiling,” “sticky floor,” “second shift,” and discrimination in hiring. She emphasized that equal pay for equal work is not about seeking privileges but an attempt to address existing barriers and ensure fairer conditions for all workers.
Irina Matviyenko pointed out that feminists do not criticize women for personal choices; instead, patriarchal culture often subjects women’s behavior to constant criticism, and a feminist approach means moving away from blaming women, focusing on safety and real opportunities when discussing freedom of choice.
Nigina Khudoybergenova discussed femininity in language, noting that feminized job titles are not new, having been actively used in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and language is intertwined with social processes, with many philologists now viewing them as a natural part of linguistic evolution. She added that the Uzbek language is gender-neutral, making debates around femininity potentially puzzling for its speakers.
Nigina Khudoybergenova concluded by stating that feminism is primarily about women’s rights, but this is not against another group; rather, it involves re-evaluating historically established unfair privileges. Critiquing patriarchal structures does not mean hating men but addresses male privileges and the struggle against them.
Source: www.gazeta.uz