Closing the Gender Wage Gap in Uzbekistan – The Borgen Project

Report on Gender Equality and Economic Empowerment in Uzbekistan in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Economic Context and Commitment to SDGs

The Republic of Uzbekistan, a rapidly growing economy in Central Asia with a population of approximately 37.2 million, has identified gender equality as a central pillar of its national development strategy. A significant challenge to this objective is the prevailing gender wage gap, with women earning, on average, one-third less than their male counterparts. This report analyzes Uzbekistan’s multi-faceted approach to closing this gap, framing its efforts within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Strategic Interventions for Gender Equality (SDG 5)

Policy and Legal Frameworks for Decent Work (SDG 8)

Uzbekistan has implemented significant legal reforms to create an enabling environment for gender equality, directly addressing SDG Target 5.c (Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality).

1. The 2022 Labor Code: This legislation explicitly prohibits wage discrimination based on gender, establishing a legal foundation for achieving SDG Target 8.5 (Equal pay for work of equal value).
2. National Gender Strategy: A comprehensive plan has been adopted to boost women’s economic participation and ensure that pay and promotion are based on merit rather than gender.
3. Institutional Mechanisms:
   • Establishment of a national commission on gender equality within the parliament.
   • Introduction of a mandatory ‘gender expertise’ review for all new policies to ensure a positive gender impact.
   • Integration of gender-responsive budgeting into national and local planning processes.

Evidence of progress is notable, with the share of women in leadership roles increasing from 7% in 2016 to 27%. This advancement contributes directly to SDG Target 5.5 (Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership).

Educational Advancements and STEM Promotion (SDG 4)

Uzbekistan has achieved near parity in literacy and school enrollment rates, fulfilling key aspects of SDG 4 (Quality Education). However, challenges remain in translating educational attainment into equal economic opportunity, as women are heavily concentrated in socially vital but lower-compensated sectors like education and healthcare.

• Strategic Initiatives: To counter this trend and align with SDG Target 4.5 (Eliminate gender disparities in education), programs are being implemented to encourage female participation in high-growth STEM fields.
  • Technovation Girls Uzbekistan: Provides skills workshops and promotes social entrepreneurship for young women.
  • UniSat International Education Program for Girls: Encourages girls and young women to pursue STEM careers, actively working to break gender stereotypes.

Economic Empowerment and Partnerships (SDG 1 & SDG 17)

Fostering Female Entrepreneurship

Partnerships with international organizations are crucial for creating economic pathways for women, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Collaborations: The government is working with the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on entrepreneurship and public leadership programs.
• UNDP and Hamroh Partnership: This collaboration established the Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme, providing targeted assistance.
• Financial Support: Preferential loans and bank-driven initiatives have supported over 130,000 women’s entrepreneurial projects, directly contributing to women’s economic empowerment under SDG 5 and poverty reduction under SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Socio-Cultural Factors and Future Outlook

Addressing deep-seated social norms is critical for the sustainable achievement of gender equality. While policy reforms are essential, their effectiveness depends on a concurrent shift in cultural attitudes.

• Impact on Poverty Reduction (SDG 1): The World Bank estimates that closing the gender wage gap and increasing female labor force participation could lift over 700,000 people out of poverty and increase national income by nearly 30%.
• Unpaid Care Work (SDG 5.4): A significant barrier remains the disproportionate burden of domestic duties on women, who spend 22% of their time on household tasks compared to 9% for men. Recognizing and redistributing this unpaid work is essential for women’s sustained participation in the workforce.
• Public Awareness: Government-led campaigns are underway to highlight the broad economic benefits of gender equality for the entire nation.

Conclusion: Translating Policy into Practice

Uzbekistan has established a robust foundation for closing the gender wage gap through legal reforms, educational initiatives, and strategic partnerships. The nation’s progress is clearly aligned with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. The primary challenge moving forward is the effective implementation of these policies to ensure that equality on paper translates into tangible equality in practice across all sectors of the economy and society.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The entire article is centered on achieving gender equality in Uzbekistan, specifically focusing on closing the gender wage gap, increasing women’s participation in the workforce and leadership roles, and implementing legal reforms to prohibit discrimination.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article directly addresses the economic disparity between men and women, citing that “women in Uzbekistan earn about one-third less than their male counterparts.” It discusses efforts to ensure fair pay, promote women’s entrepreneurship, and achieve a more inclusive economy, which are core components of decent work and sustainable economic growth.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights education as a “foundation for change,” noting high literacy and school enrollment rates for women. It specifically mentions initiatives like “Technovation Girls Uzbekistan” and government scholarships encouraging women to pursue studies in science, technology, and engineering (STEM) to gain skills for higher-paying sectors.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • A direct link between gender equality and poverty reduction is made. The article states that closing the pay gap and increasing women’s labor participation “could lift more than 700,000 people out of poverty,” connecting economic empowerment for women to the broader goal of eradicating poverty.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article mentions collaborations between Uzbekistan and international organizations to achieve its gender equality goals. It notes that “Partnerships with organizations like the World Bank or the UNDP aim to create pathways for women through entrepreneurship programs.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The article mentions the adoption of a new labor code in 2022 that “explicitly prohibits wage discrimination.”
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life. The article provides evidence of progress towards this target by stating that “the share of women in leadership roles has increased to 27% from just 7% in 2016.”
   • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality. The article discusses Uzbekistan’s “National Gender Strategy,” the creation of a “national commission on gender equality,” and the fact that “around 66.7% of Uzbek legal frameworks aim to focus on working towards achieving gender equality.”
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value. The central theme of closing the “gender wage gap” directly aligns with this target. The article’s focus on promoting “fair pay” is a key element.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. The article highlights the “Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme” and “financial support via preferential loans” that have assisted “more than 130,000 Uzbek women with their entrepreneurial initiatives.”
3. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.4: By 2020, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The article mentions “Government scholarships and training initiatives are encouraging women to pursue studies in science, technology and engineering” and programs like “Technovation Girls Uzbekistan” that provide skills workshops.
4. Under SDG 1 (No Poverty):
   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty. The article directly connects the economic empowerment of women to this target by citing a World Bank projection that closing the pay gap “could lift more than 700,000 people out of poverty.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 8.5 (Equal Pay):
   • The gender wage gap itself is a key indicator. The article states that “women in Uzbekistan earn about one-third less than their male counterparts.” Measuring the reduction of this gap over time would indicate progress. This relates to SDG Indicator 8.5.1 (Average hourly earnings of female and male employees).
2. Indicator for Target 5.5 (Women in Leadership):
   • The article provides a specific metric for women in leadership roles: “the share of women in leadership roles has increased to 27% from just 7% in 2016.” This directly corresponds to SDG Indicator 5.5.2 (Proportion of women in managerial positions).
3. Indicator for Target 5.c (Legal Frameworks):
   • A quantitative measure of legal reform is provided: “around 66.7% of Uzbek legal frameworks aim to focus on working towards achieving gender equality.” This can be used to track the implementation of gender-responsive legislation, aligning with SDG Indicator 5.1.1 (Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality).
4. Indicator for Target 1.2 (Poverty Reduction):
   • The projection that “more than 700,000 people” could be lifted out of poverty implies that the number of people living below the poverty line is a key metric for success. This relates to SDG Indicator 1.2.1 (Proportion of population living below the national poverty line).
5. Indicator for Women’s Entrepreneurship (Target 8.3):
   • The article mentions that financial support has been provided to “more than 130,000 Uzbek women with their entrepreneurial initiatives.” The number of women-led businesses or women receiving entrepreneurial support serves as a practical indicator of progress.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: borgenproject.org