Should women focus on a family or a career? Either/or is an outdated dilemma - you can have it all!

In December 2021, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, interviewed women working in private companies in Uzbekistan, asking them to share their reflections on what factors are key to becoming a successful female professional, and how to combine work and family duties. The interviews are a part of a broader research project “Gender-based Violence in the Working Place: Human Resource’s Perspective” conducted by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and WIUT, the Westminster International University in Tashkent. 

While the social stereotypes about the role of women in society are still persistent, a successful female professional or a female entrepreneur is no longer a rare case in Uzbekistan. Respondents mentioned that “having it all” - both a career and a family - is feasible, however, this scenario requires a number of prerequisites to materialize. One of the key factors is a supportive family environment, where parents and husbands empower women to pursue their professional goals. 

Indeed, many female professionals face a strong backlash against their career aspirations, especially at younger ages. The pressure to marry and give birth, serving to a family of a potential husband, make girls give up on their studies and later, on their career development, due to the considerable time and energy investments that are required to combine both. However, these challenges can be overcome with the support of parents and husbands, providing women with an opportunity to pursue education and professional development. The female participants interviewed for the project univocally claimed supportive family members to be the key to a prosperous career. In turn, family members receive long-term benefits with this approach, such as better educational perspectives for children and an increase in lifetime earnings, bringing more resources to the family budget and the overall improvement of the standards of living. 

However, apart from the family environment, there are other factors affecting women’s opportunities to combine family and professional responsibilities. This includes, for example, available and affordable childcare facilities. Currently, public pre-school childcare in Uzbekistan is available for children from 3 years old, which limits the opportunities for women to rejoin the labour force after giving birth. 

Equality is about the right to choose. Do you want to focus on a career or a family? Or would you like to combine both? In any case, a supportive family environment is crucial. Fair distribution of family duties and child care and an ability to negotiate over mutual expectations and compromise are key to paving the way for better career perspectives for women. In turn, families get higher incomes and build up a better future for their children. Be a supportive parent and spouse - stay on the bright side!  

*This video is made only for informational purposes and has no intention of advertising any of the mentioned companies.