Uzbekistan is taking significant steps to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship and bolster civil society organizations, with recent initiatives led by the OSCE and the European Union. As the country prepares for its October 27 parliamentary elections, a major test for President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s liberal reforms, these developments come at a critical moment for Uzbekistan.
Earlier this month, the OSCE launched a financial literacy program for women entrepreneurs in rural areas, designed to improve their business acumen and access to capital. In parallel, the EU concluded capacity-building trainings aimed at empowering civil society organizations, equipping them with the skills necessary to advocate for democratic governance and hold the government accountable.
The OSCE’s Financial Literacy Program: Empowering Women in Business
Earlier this month, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) launched a financial literacy program in Uzbekistan aimed at women entrepreneurs. This program, supported by the OSCE’s Office of the Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities, focuses on building financial skills for women in rural areas and small communities. The initiative comes at a time when Uzbekistan is actively trying to diversify its economy, which has traditionally been reliant on cotton and natural gas, and to reduce the gender gap in employment and business ownership.
Uzbekistan’s rural women have long been marginalized in the country’s economy, with limited access to capital and financial education. Programs like the OSCE’s are designed to address these inequities by providing women with the tools they need to participate more fully in the economy. The OSCE training covers essential topics like managing personal and business finances, applying for loans, and navigating the country’s evolving regulatory landscape.
According to the OSCE, this program is part of a broader effort to empower women economically, a key pillar of Mirziyoyev’s reform strategy. Such efforts align with the president’s pledge to promote gender equality and boost economic growth by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The government’s National Development Strategy for 2022-2026 has emphasized the importance of SMEs in driving economic modernization, and empowering women entrepreneurs is seen as a crucial component of this effort.
EU’s Capacity Building for Civil Society: Strengthening Accountability
At the same time, the European Union has concluded a series of capacity-building trainings for civil society organizations (CSOs) in Uzbekistan, as part of its broader strategy to foster democratic governance in Central Asia. The EU’s program, which has been running since 2022, aims to enhance the skills and capabilities of CSOs in areas like project management, fundraising, and advocacy. These organizations are critical in holding the government accountable and ensuring that the voices of ordinary Uzbeks are heard, particularly as the country navigates its complex reform process.
Civil society in Uzbekistan was all but non-existent under Karimov’s authoritarian regime. Independent organizations were often suppressed, and dissent was met with harsh reprisals. Since Mirziyoyev came to power, there has been more space opening up for civil society to operate.
The EU’s capacity-building initiatives are part of a broader effort to support the development of a vibrant civil society, which is seen as essential to any functioning democracy. European diplomats have praised Uzbekistan’s reforms but have also stressed the need for further political liberalization. In particular, they have highlighted the importance of allowing independent media and civil society to flourish as a check on state power.
One of the key outcomes of these trainings has been the empowerment of CSOs to play a more active role in monitoring the upcoming parliamentary elections. The EU has emphasized that these organizations must be allowed to participate freely in election monitoring, ensuring transparency and fairness in the process.
The Election as a Test for Liberal Reforms
As Uzbekistan heads to the polls, these initiatives by the OSCE and the EU provide important context for assessing the country’s reform process. The elections will serve as a test for how far Mirziyoyev is willing to go in opening up the political system and allowing genuine competition. The president has made strides in liberalizing the economy and promoting certain social reforms, and hopes to extend this trend to the the political landscape as well.
International observers, including those from the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), are expected to monitor the elections closely. Civil society groups, empowered by the EU’s training programs, will also play a crucial role in monitoring the elections. Their involvement will be a key indicator of whether Uzbekistan is truly committed to fostering a more democratic environment. If these groups are able to operate freely and effectively, it will signal a positive step forward.
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