At the Women’s Power Forum 2025, organised by ACWA Power for the second consecutive year on March 5, a stark reality was presented. Today, 119.3 mln girls are out of school, limiting their future opportunities. Closing the gender gap in extreme poverty could take 137 years at the current pace. Greater participation of women in the workforce could add $28 trillion to global GDP by 2025 — more than the combined economies of the US and China.
The event gathered leaders from the government, United Nations (UN) Women, international development banks, and top private sector companies to discuss female leadership in sustainability. Dr. Ceren Guven-Gures, UN Women Country Manager for Uzbekistan, emphasised that achieving gender equality requires systemic change and immediate action.
Marriage or school: The choice many girls never get
«March 8th is not about flowers or celebrating beautiful women. Let’s make it clear — it’s about equality. We celebrate this day to honour the women who fought for their rights so that we can exercise ours today.
Today, over 100 mln girls in certain regions remain out of school. Can you imagine why? There are no schools, no roads to schools, or girls are forced to stay home to cook. In some places, they are not even valued because they will be married off before they turn 18.»
The financial cost of the education skills deficit surpasses $10 trillion—more than the combined GDP of France and Japan. Millions of girls in developing regions remain out of school, not due to a lack of ambition, but because schools do not exist, infrastructure is inadequate, or cultural barriers force them into early marriages instead of classrooms. In many areas, families prioritize boys’ education, leaving girls with limited future prospects.
In Uzbekistan, gender inequality in the labour market is pronounced.
«Some people genuinely believe that if a woman earns less than her husband, it helps maintain peace at home. But let’s think about that for a moment—does peace really come from financial inequality? Or is it about respect, partnership, and shared responsibility? If we normalize the idea that women should earn less to keep households stable, we are reinforcing the belief that a woman’s financial independence is a threat, rather than an asset to society.»
Women account for only 37% of the workforce, compared to 76% of men, and they earn 34% less on average. If Uzbek women had equal economic opportunities, the country’s national income could rise by 29%, lifting 700,000 people out of poverty. Yet systemic barriers persist, from employer biases to limited access to financial resources for female entrepreneurs.
Economic cost of gender-based violence
«One in eight women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 was subjected to sexual and reproductive violence by an intimate partner in the past year. Maybe one of us. Maybe me. Maybe you.»
The global economic cost of gender-based violence is estimated at $1.5 trillion annually, equivalent to 2% of the world’s GDP. This burden is not only personal but also economic, as survivors often face reduced work productivity, long-term health issues and financial dependence.
Though progress has been made, challenges remain. In 2023, 18.7% of women aged 20-24 were married before 18, a drop from 24.1% in 2003. However, at the current rate, child marriage will not be eradicated until 2092 — almost seven decades from now. Without urgent interventions, millions more girls will be forced into marriage before they reach adulthood, severely limiting their opportunities for education and economic independence.
Women also continue to bear the burden of unpaid care work, spending 2.5 times more hours per day on unpaid care and domestic work than men.
«My daughter just texted me: ‘Mom, where are you? I’m hungry.’ She’s not texting her dad — she’s texting me. Unpaid care work is invisible, undervalued. If I don’t cook, he will starve, right? But why isn’t my partner cooking? Why isn’t my husband cooking? Why isn’t my father cooking? Why is it always my responsibility? The home is a shared space — it should be a shared responsibility.»
This invisible labour, which includes childcare, eldercare and household maintenance, contributes an estimated $10.8 trillion annually to the global economy. However, its lack of formal recognition means that women often face career stagnation or workforce exclusion.
In leadership, women hold 27.5% of managerial positions globally, while in Uzbekistan, they make up 49% of political parties and 38% of leadership roles. However, only 35% of STEM graduates are women and female representation in research has stagnated at 31.5% since 2011. Closing these gaps is not just about fairness — it is about ensuring a diverse, innovative and competitive global economy.
Breaking stereotypes: the path forward
«Women in parliament — that was my father’s dream. He always wanted to see me as a minister in Turkey, but I ended up at the United Nations. Women now hold key seats in Parliament, though it’s still a small increase. In local government, it’s one in three.
If we are not part of decision-making, if we are not in Parliament, if I am not in the room to speak about rural development, maternity leave and equal pay—who will? No one.»
Ceren underscored the importance of dismantling gender biases from an early age.
To achieve true gender equality, legislative measures must be reinforced with cultural shifts and structural changes. Uzbekistan has enacted 100 legislative acts to regulate women’s rights, but implementation remains a challenge. Future priorities must include:
- Strengthening national women’s institutions and gender data collection.
- Investing in gender-sensitive economic policies that provide financial incentives for women-owned businesses.
- Recognising and valuing unpaid care work by integrating it into economic policies.
- Encouraging women’s participation in high-growth industries, including STEM and digital sectors.
- Closing the gender pay gap through stronger enforcement of equal pay laws.
Gender equality cannot be achieved through symbolic gestures. The numbers reveal the challenge — but action will define the outcome. A world where women have equal opportunities is not just a vision — it’s an economic and social necessity.
