HOW GENDER NORMS AND SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS MAINTAIN GENDER INEQUALITY IN UZBEK EDUCATION

The topic of gender inequality has captivated many researchers in recent decade. While vari us studies have explored the influence of gender norms on societal roles, there is a dearth o of empirical research on gender inequality in Uzbekistan's education system. This highlights the urgent need for research that utilizes real-world data to analyze the factors sustaining gender disparities in Uzbek education. This paper aims to examine the hypothesis that stereotypes about the roles and abilities of men and women influence the distribution of functions in society, perpetuating gender inequality in Uzbekistan educational system. Results of this survey conducted among 1st-4th year students at Fergana State University revealed that a huge proportion of women and men in Uzbekistan is strongly influenced by widespread gender stereotypes that define family roles and access to education. The widespread acceptance of these stereotypes, as evidenced by the survey results, underlines the urgent need to transform the views of the locals.