WOMEN'S EDUCATION IN UZBEKISTAN: FROM ILLITERACY TO HIGHER EDUCATION (1924–1991)

This study explores the development of women’s education in Uzbekistan during the Soviet period (1924–1991), highlighting the transition from widespread female illiteracy to significant participation in higher education. The research examines the policies of the Soviet government aimed at eradicating illiteracy, promoting gender equality, and modernizing Uzbek society. Special attention is given to literacy campaigns of the 1920s and 1930s, the transformation of traditional attitudes toward women’s education, and the establishment of schools, vocational institutions, and universities that admitted female students. The paper also analyzes the challenges faced by women in balancing cultural traditions with Soviet ideals, as well as the long-term social impacts of their educational achievements. The findings show that women’s access to education not only contributed to professional development and social mobility but also played a crucial role in reshaping family structures, gender roles, and the overall modernization of Uzbekistan during the Soviet era.