Globally, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical issue, with one woman or girl being killed every 10 minutes. In 2023 alone, at least 51,100 women were victims of femicide. More than half of these murders were committed by intimate partners or family members.
In Central Asia, reliable data on GBV is scarce, though local media sometimes report severe cases involving violence against women and girls by their partners or relatives. These incidents highlight the pressing nature of the problem in the region.
The persistence of such violence raises questions about the societal norms that allow men to act with impunity and why women might accept such behavior. Addressing these issues requires examining the entrenched social norms and gender stereotypes regarding women's roles in society.
The World Bank's surveys conducted in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in 2021 reveal that many young men and women believe a husband is justified in beating his wife for reasons such as arguing, neglecting children, or leaving home without informing him. Additionally, social norms limit women's opportunities in the labor market. According to surveys from 2022, over a third of respondents agreed that women should earn less than men to maintain family harmony.
Statistics show significant wage disparities favoring men in Kazakhstan, where some regions exhibit gaps as high as 50%. Similarly, nearly 70% of respondents in the Kyrgyz Republic consider men more suited for executive roles than women.
These factors directly affect economic growth and poverty levels. In Uzbekistan alone, equal participation by women could boost national income by 29%. Equalizing wages could lift over 700,000 people out of poverty.
Despite these challenges, there has been progress. In Uzbekistan, amendments to labor laws have ensured equal pay for equal work and removed employment restrictions for women. Furthermore, new laws criminalize domestic violence and strengthen victim protections.
Similar reforms have occurred in Tajikistan with support from the World Bank. Measures are also underway in Kazakhstan to prevent harassment and violence against female workers through projects like the South-West Roads Project.
Efforts continue across Central Asia to dismantle harmful gender norms. The World Bank remains committed to supporting government and civil society initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and preventing GBV.
For more information on the World Bank's efforts: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/gender/brief/addressing-gender-based-violence