On 27 June 2025, a roundtable has been held under the Listening to the Citizens of Uzbekistan (L2CU) initiative, supported by the UK-funded Effective Governance for Economic Development (EGED) Programme. The event focused on enhancing female economic empowerment and shared insights from a recent survey of 201 firms and 243 citizens on awareness and compliance with gender equality provisions in Uzbekistan’s new Labour Code.
Key findings revealed both progress and challenges:
- 70% of firms are aware of the new Labour Code provisions, but only 31% of citizens share that awareness.
- Over 90% of respondents noted improvements in fair hiring practices, yet only 16% believe women have equal chances for leadership roles.
- Fewer than 40% of firms have formal guidelines on gender equality and protection from sexual harassment.
- While many firms know about incentives for hiring persons with disabilities, implementation remains limited.
The roundtable featured opening remarks from government and development partners, presentations on socio-economic trends, and a panel discussion with policymakers, private sector leaders, and gender equality advocates. Together, they explored strategies to strengthen compliance, improve workplace inclusivity, and ensure reforms translate into real opportunities for women and vulnerable groups.
