Uzbekistan has made strides in bolstering gender equality, as evidenced by an 11.9-point surge in its score on the Women, Business, and Law 2024 (WBL) Index, as per the latest report from the World Bank.
The report evaluates worldwide advancements in gender equality within the legal realm, scrutinizing the status of women across 190 nations, Uzbekistan included, through the lens of 10 key indicators: "security," "freedom of movement," "employment," "equal pay," "marital rights," "parental rights," "childcare accessibility," "entrepreneurial opportunities," "property ownership," and "retirement benefits."
The WBL Index, which stood at 77.1 points globally in 2022, indicates the legal rights women possess compared to men in various countries. Despite the worldwide average of 77%, signifying that women have only 77% of the legal rights that men enjoy, Uzbekistan's recent advancement marks a commendable improvement in gender parity efforts.
As per the World Bank's representative office in Uzbekistan, the most recent release of the "Women, Business, and Law" report assesses legislative amendments across countries from October 1, 2022, to October 1, 2023. Within this timeframe, only 18 nations worldwide, accounting for less than 10% of those scrutinized in the index, enacted legal revisions aimed at enhancing women's status across the aforementioned indicators.
Collectively, these 18 nations have enacted 47 reforms directed at fostering gender equality. Nine of these reforms were instituted across five countries in Europe and Central Asia, which encompass Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, and Moldova.
Among the changes implemented between October 2022 and October 2023, the new Labor Code introduced provisions ensuring equal pay for equal work regardless of gender. Additionally, restrictions on women's employment in specific industries were lifted, promoting inclusivity and opportunity.
Moreover, Uzbekistan fortified its legal framework by criminalizing domestic violence comprehensively, encompassing physical, psychological, and economic forms of abuse. Legislative amendments to both the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility passed in April 2023, reflect the nation's commitment to combating gender-based violence and safeguarding women's rights.
These progressive reforms contributed to Uzbekistan's ascent in the WBL 1.0 index, elevating its overall score to 82.5 out of 100. This achievement not only places Uzbekistan on par with nations such as Singapore, Turkey, and the UAE but also positions it as a leader in gender equality within Central Asia.
Uzbekistan's advancement in the WBL Index resonates beyond regional boundaries, placing it among the top five countries globally in terms of progress toward gender parity. Alongside Jordan, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, and Togo, Uzbekistan stands out for its concerted efforts to bridge gender disparities and foster inclusive economic environments.
While Uzbekistan emerges as a trailblazer in the pursuit of gender equality, several other nations, including Azerbaijan, Jordan, Malaysia, Oman, and Sierra Leone, have also undertaken substantive reforms aimed at fostering equality in the workplace.
Earlier Uzbekistan participated in a virtual conference to inaugurate the "Equal Future" online platform, organized by the European and Central Asia Regional Office of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). During the conference, Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, delivered a compelling address emphasizing the critical role of gender policies in both societal and national advancement. Narbayeva underscored that promoting gender equality transcends mere moral obligation; it stands as a fundamental necessity for sustainable progress.
Highlighting Uzbekistan's commitment to women's empowerment, Narbayeva outlined a series of comprehensive measures aimed at supporting women across diverse sectors. These initiatives aim to facilitate women's active participation in socio-political and socio-economic spheres, driving forward progress and fostering inclusivity. Additionally, Narbayeva emphasized Uzbekistan's dedication to advancing regional cooperation on gender equality initiatives, underlining the nation's proactive stance in promoting equality and opportunity for all.
About WBL Index
The Women, Business, and Law (WBL) Index is a comprehensive tool developed by the World Bank to measure legal and regulatory barriers to women's economic participation across different countries. It assesses laws and regulations affecting women's ability to engage in economic activities, covering a wide range of areas such as employment, entrepreneurship, property rights, and access to justice.
The index provides insights into the legal environment surrounding gender equality in the business sphere. By analyzing specific legal provisions and their enforcement, the WBL Index helps identify areas where reforms are needed to promote women's economic empowerment and enhance their participation in the workforce.
Key indicators considered in the WBL Index include laws related to women's ability to work, including equal pay, maternity leave, and protection against gender-based discrimination. It also examines laws governing women's access to credit, property rights, and their ability to start and manage businesses.
The WBL Index serves as a crucial tool for policymakers, researchers, and advocates working to advance gender equality and promote women's economic empowerment. By highlighting areas where legal reforms are necessary, it provides a roadmap for countries to create more inclusive and equitable environments for women in business and entrepreneurship.
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