Nearly half of Uzbekistan’s 37 million population resides in rural areas, where access to clean drinking water, quality healthcare services, and education outcomes are often limited. These disparities particularly affect women and children.
In Uzbekistan, women's labor force participation was over 30% lower than men's in 2023. The lack of services such as water, electricity, and preschool increases the time burden on women, especially those in remote and rural areas, limiting their economic participation. In 2022, 75% of unemployed working-age women cited homemaking and care responsibilities as their reason for not working.
Despite progress since 2017 in expanding access to early childhood care and education services, in 2022 only 42% of children in Uzbekistan’s rural areas had access to preschool education compared to 51% in urban areas.
This urban-rural divide perpetuates inequality and hampers Uzbekistan’s economic potential. However, change is underway with a more responsive model for rural development aimed at promoting a more inclusive future.
Empowering Neighborhoods for Change
In 306 remote villages across Andijan, Ferghana, Namangan, Jizzakh, and Syrdarya regions, residents participate actively in the Rural Infrastructure Development Project (RIDP), funded by the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Communities decide which basic infrastructure facilities—such as schools, health facilities, power and water supply systems—should be renovated or constructed.
Mahalla (Neighborhood) Development Units (MDUs), mandated to consist of at least 50% women, represent communities under RIDP. They listen to villagers’ concerns and preferences before voting on sub-projects through RIDP. MDUs plan, supervise, and implement chosen infrastructure facilities.
Community activists participating in an MDU in Uzumzor village discuss road paving results that transformed streets with asphalt.
Social audits conducted every six months involved over 32,000 women from 185 communities; nearly all participants indicated that MDU-selected sub-projects reflected their priority needs.
Investing in Education for Schoolchildren
Community-driven infrastructure investments are impacting learning areas. Under RIDP's initiative to invest in school facilities expansion particularly benefits girls. For example: Tinchlik village voted to refurbish Public School #12 which last underwent improvements in 1967.
Zarina recalls her school's prior conditions: “Before the renovations...we had lessons in cold classrooms...Unreliable electricity also posed challenges."
Since August 2023 new heating systems have been installed creating a safer facility conducive to learning. Solar panels ensure stable power while new drainage systems alleviate dampness causing health issues among students according Gulchekhra Nurmatova emphasizing community decision correctness regarding school reconstruction investment yielding inviting brightly painted classrooms supplied with new furniture increasing enrollment from 519-650 students making parents confident about local school quality provision eliminating thoughts sending children study cities
Hundreds Thousands Lives Improved Rural Areas
The renovated school example represents how RIDP reshapes lives across Uzbekistan rural areas improving essential public service accessibility connecting communities raising living standards benefiting over half million villagers expecting double project beneficiaries by completion forging equal future all government collaboration empowering community meet needs reducing regional disparities providing equal opportunities