On International Women's Day, UNICEF has urged for investment in the education and empowerment of girls, emphasizing equal employment opportunities, particularly for young women with disabilities, as crucial for Uzbekistan's prosperity. The theme for this year, "Invest in women: Accelerate progress," underscores the transformative impact of tangible investments in girls and women, leading to positive societal changes and strengthened economies globally.
Globally, measures such as providing bursaries for girls and young women have proven to be transformative for local and national economies. Research indicates that enhanced social protection for girls from low-income families, along with support in obtaining concessional loans for higher education, is crucial for fostering stable and resilient societies in the medium term. Despite progress in Uzbekistan, there is still much to be done in terms of funded initiatives that create equal opportunities, enforce existing laws protecting women's rights, combat negative gender stereotypes, empower women in leadership roles, and improve access to quality healthcare and essential services.
Recent evidence reveals that the representation of women in engineering, manufacturing, construction, and ICT programs is only 17%. In contrast, the overall share of women and men working in STEM fields, including researchers in natural sciences, engineering, technology, medical and health sciences, agriculture, and veterinary sciences, is 37%. UNICEF emphasizes intentional investments in girls and young women, recognizing their foundational role in building stronger societies and economies. In Uzbekistan, UNICEF's advocacy and programs focused on ensuring girls' participation in STEM are starting to yield positive results.
Despite government efforts to empower girls and women, such as providing equal opportunities in primary and secondary education and recent legislative amendments criminalizing domestic violence, persistent harmful social norms, structures, and stereotypes continue to influence inequality in the division of labor, priorities, and focus at home, in education, at the workplace, and in society. Additionally, women and girls disproportionately bear the burden of unpaid care work within families.
