Women’s Activities In Industrial Enterprises Of Bukhara During The 1950s–1980s: Employment And Social Problems
Keywords:
Bukhara region, Soviet industry, women’s employment, social problems, workforce migrationAbstract
This article examines the participation of women in industrial enterprises of the Bukhara region during the 1950s–1980s and analyzes its socio-economic and gender-related dimensions within the context of Soviet industrialization policy. It explores how state-driven efforts to expand industrial production contributed to increasing female employment, particularly in light industry, food processing, and service sectors.
The study highlights key challenges that affected women’s integration into industrial labor, including rural-to-urban demographic imbalance, persistence of traditional gender norms, labor segmentation, insufficient professional training, and underdeveloped social infrastructure. Special attention is given to the dual burden faced by women, combining industrial work with domestic responsibilities.
Based on archival materials and periodical sources, the article demonstrates that although women’s participation in industry increased over time and educational opportunities improved, full equality in employment was not achieved in practice. The findings show that women’s industrial labor in Bukhara was shaped by the interaction of Soviet modernization policies and local socio-cultural conditions.
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