Uzbekistan made a significant leap in the 2024 Gender Equality and Governance Index (GEGI), ranking 52nd out of 158 countries. This achievement positioned the republic as the leader in the Central Asian region, far ahead of its neighbors. Compared to the 2022 data, Uzbekistan improved its ranking by 51 positions, showcasing notable progress in gender equality, Daryo.uz reports.
According to the GEGI 2024 report, Uzbekistan scored 72.8 points, the highest among Central Asian countries. The report also analyzes achievements and challenges faced by women globally over the past two years. While European countries with democratic systems continue to dominate the rankings, nations such as Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, and Qatar still show low performance.
Uzbekistan's improved standing is attributed to ongoing reforms in the country, including initiatives in information technology. These efforts include actively involving women in IT and STEM projects, launching educational programs for girls to develop digital skills, and implementing measures to protect women’s rights and promote gender equality.
Other Central Asian countries ranked as follows in GEGI 2024:
- Kazakhstan: 76th place (84th in 2022).
- Kyrgyzstan: 99th place (91st in 2022).
- Tajikistan: 103rd place (118th in 2022).
- Afghanistan: 158th place (last in the rankings).
- Turkmenistan: not included in the rankings.
Thus, Uzbekistan not only surpassed its regional neighbors but also demonstrated substantial progress toward gender equality, likely as a result of active reforms and focused efforts in this area.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
December 16, 2024