Uzbekistan has substantially improved in various sectors with President Mirziyoyev’s efforts and reforms since he assumed office in 2016. However, public sector corruption remains a persistent issue, hindering trust in officials. Several key factors contribute to this problem and impede the effectiveness of reforms, with women’s under-representation in governmental positions as an often-neglected aspect. This piece verifies that increasing the number of women in the public sector, particularly in decision-making, is an innovative strategy worth considering.
In the story of Uzbekistan’s development progress, corruption emerges as one of the major obstacles. The overall situation of resisting and speaking against corruption in the country presents a positive outlook. There is a concerted effort from various stakeholders to mitigate corruption, including businesses, civil society, and the government. Uzbekistan’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score improved from 21 to 31 out of 100 (see graph 1) since President Sh. Mirziyoyev took office in 2016, showcasing a commitment to transparency and inclusive governance.
President Mirziyoyev’s leadership has led to significant anti-corruption reforms, notably the creation of the Anti-Corruption Agency in 2020. The agency is responsible for, inter alia, shaping and executing anti-corruption policies, overseeing income declarations of civil servants, and facilitating international cooperation to combat corruption. Throughout Uzbekistan, we witness success stories where what were once seen as “paper-based bureaucracies” or “closed media” have transformed into something much better within just a few years.
Notwithstanding this progress, corruption remains an enduring and highly contentious issue in the country, giving rise to numerous complaints. Transparency International (TI) identified that the public trust and perceptions still challenge Uzbekistan’s anti-corruption drive. A 2021 September survey with over 37,000 participants revealed that 88% of respondents believe recent anti-corruption reforms have not effectively reduced corruption levels in Uzbekistan (see graph 2). Regrettably, despite the substantial reform initiatives, citizens’ trust in the actions of public officials has not seen a proportional increase. The media coverage of anti-corruption efforts has been equally balanced, highlighting successes and failures in this endeavor. Several key factors contribute to this issue and hinder the effectiveness of reforms, with women’s under-representation in influential governmental roles standing out as a primary and often neglected factor.
Gender Disparities in Crime Trends (2007-2022)
The examination of crime data in Uzbekistan from 2007 to 2022 underscores a consistent pattern of gender-based differences in ethical behavior. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the context of economic crimes, including extortion, fraud, and crimes against the fundamentals of the economy.
The data reveals a clear gender disparity in economic crimes. For instance, in 2022, men were involved in 308 extortion cases, whereas women accounted for only 97 cases, illustrating a troubling contrast of over three times higher male involvement. Similarly, regarding crimes against the fundamentals of the economy, men were implicated in 15,056 cases, compared to women’s 2,503 cases, marking a concerning difference of almost six-fold. This trend extends to fraud, where men consistently reported higher involvement than women did.
The long-term trend suggests that, on average, women in Uzbekistan exhibit higher ethical standards in economic crimes than men. However, it’s crucial to consider counterarguments, such as the potential influence of equal opportunities and gender relations. Some argue that gender disparities in corruption might diminish with equal opportunities, while others posit that women’s limited political advancement due to restricted relationship-building outside family networks contributes to their lower involvement in economic crimes.
Yet, this gender-based difference isn’t limited to economic crimes alone. Notably, the data also reveals consistent gender disparities in non-economic crimes, even when women potentially have equal access to commit them. Examining non-economic crimes, especially hooliganism and theft, the data from 2007 to 2022 indicates evident gender gaps. For instance, in 2022, men reported 12,523 cases of these crimes, whereas women reported 1,922 cases, highlighting a significant discrepancy (see graphs 3-4).
This trend persisted over the years, with 2011 marking the peak year for male involvement, recording 12,559 cases, compared to women’s 1,381 cases. These disparities underscore that men consistently outnumber women in reported hooliganism and theft cases, emphasising the enduring gender differences in criminal behaviour, extending beyond economic crimes.
While the data strongly supports the observation that women in Uzbekistan tend to exhibit higher ethical standards in economic crimes, the intricate nature of this trend warrants further exploration. The interplay of cultural, societal, and systemic factors contributes to these disparities, highlighting the necessity for gender-sensitive policies and equal opportunities to address and potentially reduce gender-based differences in ethical behaviour across various aspects of society.
The Impact of Female Representation on Reducing Corruption: International Example
Contemporary research has discovered a fascinating connection: corruption tends to decrease when more women are in government. While the reasons for this link is contested, a study by Hung-En Sung from Columbia University delves into the issue. The study first questions previous research supporting this idea, suggesting potential problems in their conclusions. It then proposes an alternative explanation: the reduction in corruption may not solely result from the presence of women in government but might be associated with increased political freedom. In other words, it suggests that the relationship between gender and corruption may not be directly cause-and-effect. The author analysed data from 99 countries to validate these assumptions and discovered the following key insights: increased female participation in government is associated with countries having robust democratic values and while the connection between democracy and corruption is not straightforward, the combination of economic factors and having good democratic institutions helps control corruption too.
Moreover, Marilyn Corsianos’ study into corruption among US police officers indicates that female officers are much less likely to form corrupt networks than male officers. In that regard, as Leslie Holmes confirms, if this applies elsewhere, it could help to explain why corruption levels are lower where there is a higher percentage of female officers. To support this trend, Leslie Holmes discusses that the traffic police in Peru were in the 1990s criticized by their government and the World Bank for their high levels of corruption. Then, the World Bank suggested experimenting with a change in the gender balance since women were considered to be less easily corrupted than men. The implemented policy in 1998 was a significant success after a decade, and the corruption level among traffic police significantly decreased. A similar approach was introduced in Mexico City following the Peruvians’ success, and the results were inspiring.
However, contemporary research into the Peruvian situation by Sabrina Karim shows that increasing the female police force has helped reduce corruption, but the real improvement might be minor than initially claimed. While the empirical evidence on this is still thin, some argue that it is not just because of having more women; it could be because these female officers are relatively new to the job. Indeed, corrupt networks take time to develop, as trust between potentially corrupt officers needs to be established and encouraged. The hint is that women can also become highly corrupt when working closely together for long periods. But there is an exciting twist to this. According to Leslie Holmes, women generally trust each other more than men, and vice versa. Based on this assumption, the Polish police forces have been deploying two-person patrols comprising one male and one female officer in recent years and where possible.
To conclude, ensuring the balance between female and male workers at work, especially in a given task/project/program, is critically important, given that gender imbalance, that is, female-dominated or male-biassed work environment, might ease conspiracy in acting unethically.
Women Master Work-Life Balance
Carefully examining the root causes of corruption within the government sector of Uzbekistan uncovers a hidden but pervasive issue. Most, if not all, male public officials often find themselves working long hours without adequate compensation or recognition. This often compels them to sacrifice their personal and family lives, which should ideally be voluntary and compensated. When we consider that within a single day, an employer effectively claims half of an individual’s daily personal time, following the global labour standard, the importance of this issue becomes evident.
Subtracting the recommended average of 8 hours of sleep from 24 hours leaves us just 16 hours. The employer claims half of this time (8 hours), which is the legal limit. The remaining half should rightfully be devoted to one’s personal life. When individuals are pushed to work beyond this limit, their rights are infringed upon, and this infringement significantly increases the temptation to engage in corrupt practices. It’s psychologically and economically justified that individuals who fall victim to such practices might start rationalising dishonest behaviour, leading to unethical acts, all while their sense of guilt diminishes. Human dignity, once compromised, cannot be compensated for, and individuals may rationalise their behaviour in committing unethical acts. This problem is systemic, persistent at all levels of state organisations, and most sadly tolerated. Corruption will continue to thrive and undermine the system unless anti-corruption measures consider the quality of life of public service professionals.
Compared to men, women exhibit a heightened sensitivity to working long hours at the expense of spending time on their personal lives. In 2022, a study conducted by experts from the Institute for Forecasting and Macroeconomic Research (IPMI) revealed that, with a typical work schedule of 7-8 hours, women in Uzbekistan spend an additional 4 hours daily on unpaid household chores, compared to men who contribute only 1 hour. This means that women dedicate 22% of their time to unpaid housework and childcare, while men spend 9% of their time on these responsibilities.
Achieving Gender Equality beyond Laws
We explore two interconnected aspects of gender-related challenges in employment and wages. While the primary focus is on the correlation between women’s representation in state organisations and the level of corruption, we also delve into the findings from a study conducted by World Bank economist William Seitz in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
Seitz’s study reveals concerning gender wage gaps in these Central Asian nations, with Uzbekistan having the highest disparity at 39%, followed by Kyrgyzstan at 25%, and Kazakhstan at 22%. This research, involving 4,500 respondents, highlights a systematic bias in assessing women’s wages, where respondents often perceive women as “fairly paid” or even “overpaid” while considering men as “significantly underpaid.” Notably, Uzbekistan introduced “equal pay for equal work” into its labour code in late 2022, whereas Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan lack similar legal measures. Seitz emphasises the critical role of educational initiatives in addressing these biases, emphasising that legal regulations alone cannot achieve gender equality in the labour market.
The report underscores the presence of prejudice and systemic bias against women, which not only affects their earnings but also carries broader implications for their participation in government and public service. It highlights the need to confront and overcome societal stereotypes and biases as an essential aspect of increasing women’s participation in state organisations, ultimately working toward gender equality in wages and positions of authority.
In conclusion, understanding and addressing prejudice, as revealed in Seitz’s study, can complement efforts to promote gender diversity and reduce corruption in state organisations. By challenging stereotypes, advocating for equal opportunities, and fostering fair treatment, we can move closer to achieving a more inclusive and corruption-resistant public sector.
Governmental and Non-Governmental Initiatives: Catalyzing Women’s Empowerment in Uzbekistan
Growing the presence of women in major governmental roles and encouraging their empowerment in Uzbekistan is a crucial measure for curbing corruption within the public sector. Several notable developments and initiatives support this argument.
For instance, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) greatly emphasises eliminating violence against women and integrating a gender perspective into Uzbekistan’s policies and programs. This recognition recognizes the nexus between gender dynamics and crime, including corruption. Uzbekistan’s enactment of laws and strategies, such as the “Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men” and the “Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality in Uzbekistan by 2030,” reflects a dedication to mainstreaming gender and women’s empowerment as tools to combat various forms of crime and violence while fostering transparency and accountability.
Another convincing example is the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus held in August 2021, spotlighting Uzbekistan’s dedication to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The endorsement of a National Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality by 2030 in Uzbekistan symbolises a commitment to various aspects, including promoting women’s leadership in the country.
Moreover, the second annual Regional Women’s Summit, convened by USAID last year, highlighted the role of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the country’s socio-economic development. It emphasised how active female participation in trade and commerce fosters economic growth and strengthens the nation’s prosperity. USAID’s Trade Central Asia initiative, actively addressing gender-related trade concerns, aims to ensure women’s involvement in Uzbekistan’s economic advancement, enhancing transparency and mitigating corruption risks.
Furthermore, establishing the “Uzbekistan Women Leaders Caucus” by the UNDP and the Senate of Uzbekistan in June 2022 strengthens this idea. This Caucus desires to enhance women’s leadership capacities, challenge gender stereotypes, and develop comprehensive programs and recommendations for governmental entities—an essential effort for advancing women’s roles in Uzbekistan while minimising corruption risks.
These initiatives support the argument that increasing women’s participation and empowerment in influential government positions in Uzbekistan might reduce corruption by championing transparency and accountability in the country’s good governance.
Conclusion
To conclude, the reforms in Uzbekistan under President Mirziyoyev’s leadership have rendered positive developments in various sectors, but corruption remains a constant problem. Corruption distorted public trust in officials, and this report underscores several factors contributing to the concern, with women’s under-representation in government being a critical and often disregarded aspect. Analysing crime data shows gender disparities in various crimes, emphasising the need for gender-sensitive policies and equal opportunities. International examples suggest that more women in government can help reduce corruption, but it’s a complex relationship influenced by factors like political freedom. Women’s sensitivity to work-life balance can also impact their ethical behaviour, especially when forced to work long hours without proper reward or recognition. Gender pay gaps and biases against women in the labour market further emphasise the need to challenge stereotypes and promote equal opportunities to increase women’s participation in governmental organisations, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and corruption-resistant public sector.
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