Women and Science in New Uzbekistan

Why do you think it is important for women to engage in science?

According to the World Bank, regions or countries governed by women tend to have a high level of economic development. Examples include Scandinavian and Asian countries, particularly Singapore, as well as China, which has the highest percentage of female millionaires and billionaires in the world. Furthermore, from ancient times, it has been said in hadiths that by educating a son, you educate one person, but by educating a daughter, you educate the entire family. Indeed, great individuals in both the past and present have been raised and taught by their mothers. In developed societies, the level of progress and civilization is determined by the treatment of women and the opportunities and conditions created for them.

The renowned educator and Jadidist Abdullah Avloni wrote: "Girls should strive for education more than anyone else, because with this knowledge, they will educate the next generation." It is no coincidence that in New Uzbekistan, special attention is paid to ensuring that girls and women receive a comprehensive education based on legal principles.

On the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, large-scale reforms are being carried out in Uzbekistan to support women in various spheres, enhance their socio-economic and political activity, ensure employment, and promote their involvement in entrepreneurship and scientific activities. This is reflected primarily in important documents such as the new edition of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Gender Equality Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030, and in strengthening cooperation with international organizations, especially the United Nations and its agencies.

For example, according to the proposals from the "UN Women" structure on the need to invest in and provide women and girls with opportunities for education, growth, and innovation, as well as encouraging companies worldwide to adopt the Women’s Empowerment Principles (which promote gender equality, empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and society), international events are organized. These include the Asian Women’s Forum (Samarkand, May 13-14, 2024), the business forum "Uzbekistan - Poland" for women entrepreneurs organized by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Republican Committee on Family and Women, and partner organizations (Tashkent, September 20, 2024), and the presentation of a book by Azerbaijan’s First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, among others. These events unite scholars and specialists to scientifically address various issues related to gender equality.

In Uzbekistan, the connection between state institutions and women’s NGOs has strengthened in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. Support for our fellow citizens is also provided through awarding them state prizes named after Zulfiya, Alisher Navoi, and the UNESCO International Prize – Uzbekistan named after Abu Rayhon Beruni.

According to the Presidential Decree "On measures to further accelerate the work of systematically supporting families and women" from March 7, 2022, a range of opportunities and privileges have been introduced since the 2022/2023 academic year to support the education of our citizens. Moreover, by a decision from the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on September 29, 2023, it was determined that starting from the 2023/2024 academic year, women admitted to colleges and technical schools in areas such as construction, transportation, utilities, and agriculture, on a paid-contract basis, will study at the expense of the state grant. The number of private universities has also increased, which has contributed to a higher enrollment of girls in higher educational institutions.

The active participation of universities, NGOs, and the entire education system in international educational programs (UN programs such as UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO, WHO, and others) has also played a role.

An important factor in realizing the potential of our citizens has been the tasks outlined in the Strategy for the Development of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, the Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and other documents.

It should be noted that gender equality is now a key aspect of state policy in Uzbekistan. As a result, society’s attitude toward women in science, IT, STEM fields, and beyond has changed. In general, science and gender equality are inseparable parts of sustainable development. The participation of women and girls in innovation increases the chances of humanity achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. According to the National Report on Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan, the total number of researchers in the country increased by 33% in 2021 compared to 2020. The percentage of women among researchers grew by 13%, though parity has not yet been achieved (five academicians, one thousand doctors of science, and five thousand candidates). The number of doctors of science (DSc) and doctors of philosophy (PhD) has increased by 24% and 52%, respectively.

Women scientists are achieving success in various fields: agriculture, biotechnology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, medicine, archaeology, pathology, political science, economics, sociology, law, culture, music, the arts, sports, and others. Here are a few examples:

• Sayyora Rashidova – an academician at the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a doctor of chemical sciences, and a professor. She headed the Institute of Chemistry and Physics of Polymers at the Academy of Sciences for many years, trained more than 20 doctors, has about 300 scientific publications, several monographs, and 20 patents.
• Tamarkhan Aripova – Director of the Institute of Immunology and Human Genomics at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. A doctor of medical sciences, professor, and academician.
• Dilfuza Egamberdiyeva – one of the top two percent of the world’s best scientists. She is on the list of researchers with the highest scientific potential in 2020 and an expert in agricultural biotechnology. Over 20 years of scientific work, she has published nearly 200 scientific articles. She is also a member of the UN Committee on World Food Security and the chair of the UNESCO Science and Technology Network for the Asia-Pacific Region.
• Khalida Shaykhova – a doctor of medical sciences, professor at Tashkent Medical Academy, and deputy chair of the Association of Physicians of Uzbekistan. She is an honorary member of the National Medical Association of ENT specialists of Russia, Central Asia, and Turkey.
• Saida Beknazarova – a doctor of technical sciences, professor, and head of the Department at the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi. She is the holder of the "Shuhrat" medal and the Isaac Newton medal.
• The first female conductors of Uzbekistan, Dilbar Abdurakhmanova and Feruza Abdurakhimova, and composers such as Dilrom Saydaminova, Dilrom Omonullaeva, Khurshida Khasanova, and Oydin Abdullaeva have made invaluable contributions to the development of musical art.
• Aziza Sadikova, whose music is performed in concert halls in Berlin, London, and Amsterdam. Her work is compared to the works of great composers like Schubert, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Shostakovich.
• The legendary television announcers of Uzbekistan, Galina Melnikova and Nasiba Ibragimova, have demonstrated exemplary broadcasting skills for decades and have created their own school of announcers.

Uzbekistan is also proud of its sports stars, including gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, who was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame and the Guinness World Records; tennis player and General Secretary of the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation, Iroda Tulyaganova, who won the Wimbledon Girls' Tournament and the US Open, is an Asian champion, and a bronze medalist at the World Games for girls.

A prominent visual artist from our country, Shamsroy Khasanova – the first female Uzbek artist. She is the director of the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan and the wife of People's Artist of Uzbekistan Chingiz Akhmarov. She created a series of portraits of famous personalities and images of Eastern poets such as Nodirabegim, Zebiniso, Uvaysi, and also the image of the talented dancer Tamara Khanum.

To further engage our fellow citizens in science, it is necessary to continue the systematic work within the activities of the Committee on Family and Women of the Republic of Uzbekistan (the "Okila Ayollar" movement under the Committee), the Association of Women Scientists "Olima", and the clubs for young female leaders. This includes conducting intellectual competitions like "Zakovat", the international educational program "Technovation Girls", the development and implementation of improved educational programs in schools, particularly through the introduction of STEM education (which integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

The ongoing comprehensive work is aimed at overcoming existing stereotypes and fostering the desire to acquire knowledge and develop scientific and critical thinking skills.

Thus, the efforts of the government, NGOs, and international organizations, along with their structures, are contributing to the construction of New Uzbekistan. As a result, more women scientists will emerge in our country, which will facilitate scientific and technological transformations in society and the flourishing of each individual, because only talented individuals engage in science.
E’tibor Sultonova, 
Doctor of Political Sciences, a Professor, and the Chairperson of the "Olima" Association of Women Scientists in Tashkent.