Gender Equality as a GDP Factor: Equal Participation of Women in the Economy to Bring 29% Growth to Uzbekistan
Economy
The integration of women into key macroeconomic processes and the elimination of the gender pay gap serve as powerful catalysts for sustainable growth, capable of substantially reducing poverty levels and strengthening the state's social stability. Uzbekistan's national income could expand by 29% with the equal participation of women in the economy. This assessment was shared on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum by Ceren Guven Gures, Head of the UN Women Central Asian Coordination Office. Referencing verified figures from the World Bank, the expert emphasized that simply aligning women's wages with those of men would lift over 700,000 people out of poverty, unlocking immense macroeconomic opportunities for societal prosperity.
Elevating the economic activity of women has been officially designated as one of the top priorities within the "Uzbekistan-2030" national strategy. According to Uzbekistan's Vice-Prime Minister and Head of the Committee for Women and Family Affairs, Zulaykho Makhkamova, the country is consistently implementing a specialized "Uzbek model" that establishes concrete targets for safeguarding women's rights and legitimate interests. Economic opportunities within the republic are systematically broadening, partially due to the lifting of restrictions on women working in a number of professions and industries. During the forum, an increase in funding directed toward women's startup projects, alongside the development of cooperatives and an inclusive economy, was highlighted. Currently, women's participation in Uzbekistan's digital economy has neared 40%, while thousands of young women are successfully engaged in artificial intelligence programs and the large-scale "One Million Coders" initiative.
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