Women in Uzbekistan’s Energy Sector Face Career Barriers
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has completed its first study of career opportunities for women in the private sector, focusing on the energy industry. The study found that although women account for a high share of students in STEM fields, they make up only 12% of employees in the energy sector. The project was initiated by Acwa and the American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan (AmCham Uzbekistan).
The findings were presented in Tashkent, with representatives of UN Women, the NGO Sabr and the Aral Golden Heritage association also attending.
The study covered Tashkent, Syrdarya, Samarkand and Bukhara regions, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan. It was authored by Kamola Aliyeva, Doctor of Law and an expert in gender studies.
According to the study, around 40% of girls in Uzbekistan study STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and mathematics. However, a significantly smaller share of female graduates enters the real economy. Women hold only 12% of jobs in the energy sector.
A separate challenge is the low number of applications from women for technical positions. According to study author Kamola Aliyeva, some international employers focused on gender balance reported receiving no applications from women for certain technical roles.
The study identified several barriers facing women seeking careers in technical industries. Even before entering the labour market, family attitudes and stereotypes about “non-female” professions influence career choices. During recruitment, another obstacle is bias related to motherhood, with employers assessing female candidates based on the possibility of maternity leave and interruptions in employment.
Even after starting their careers, women, according to the study, face the need to continually prove their professional competence and demonstrate stronger results to gain recognition.
Ahmed Fahad, head of Acwa Operations for Central Asia, said that attracting women to technical professions requires more than simply providing education and jobs. According to him, it is also necessary to work with candidates’ families and surrounding communities.
He cited the case of a graduate of an energy college in Shirin whose parents would not allow her to move from Syrdarya region to Tashkent. Company representatives met with the family and explained the working conditions and career opportunities. Fahad said that this approach requires additional resources but helps overcome gender barriers.
The study proposes five main areas for attracting and retaining women in technical industries. These include flexible working hours and remote work, support for women from management, the creation of role models, gender-balanced HR processes and the development of inclusive infrastructure at industrial facilities.
In particular, the study recommends avoiding questions about marital status and children during job interviews, ensuring that both men and women participate in recruitment panels, creating separate sanitary facilities and safe transportation at industrial sites, and establishing protected channels for reporting harassment.
Acwa has operated in Uzbekistan since 2019. According to the company, Uzbekistan is its second-largest market by investment volume after Saudi Arabia. The company is implementing 19 projects with a combined capacity of more than 10 GW, with investment reaching US$15 billion. Its portfolio includes wind and solar power projects, energy storage systems, conventional power generation and green hydrogen production.
