2024 Theses Master's

Barriers to women’s participation in the formal labor market in Uzbekistan

Safoeva, Shahnoza

This thesis investigates the barriers to formal labor market participation for tertiary-educated women in Uzbekistan. Despite notable achievements in gender equality initiatives, women in Uzbekistan face significant societal, cultural, institutional, and legal barriers that undermine their access to and retention in formal employment.

This study identifies the entrenched stereotypes, discriminatory practices, and insufficient policy implementations that perpetuate gender disparities through analyzing survey data, semi-structured interviews, expert opinions, and key international legal frameworks such as CEDAW, ICESCR, and ILO conventions.

The study shows how societal expectations, family dynamics, and traditional interpretations of religious texts can influence women's career choices in Uzbekistan. Moreover, this study shows how insufficient institutional policies like workplace protections, flexible working hours, or hiring policies can exacerbate these challenges.

The study underscores the disconnect between Uzbekistan's international obligations and domestic practices and proposes reform recommendations to align the country's gender policies with global standards. Addressing these systemic barriers can contribute to unlocking the potential of Uzbekistan's educated women and achieving meaningful progress toward gender equality.