LocationsOvercoming stereotypes: the story of Gavkhar Ruzmetova, who chose the profession of a mechanic
February 10, 2026
"No one believed that an ordinary housewife like me, someone who hadn't worked anywhere until the age of 33, could manage an entire auto service center. At first, I felt a bit fear inside, but I did not give up...", this is how our hero Gavkhar Ruzmetova, begins her story.
She was born in Urgench district of the Khorezm region. Today she runs a truck repair shop. Her path to the car service industry began due to a difficult situation related to her brother's health.
"A few years ago, my brother became seriously ill and had to go abroad for medical treatment. He had a car service that urgently needed a reliable manager. I took on this responsibility", recalls Gavkhar.
At first, her brother did not trust her, as she had never been involved in professional activities before. However, Gavkhar made a firm decision: not only to take over the management of the business, but also to prove that women are able to succeed in any field.
"I'm doing my best to make this succeed", she says proudly. "At the beginning of my work, I carefully observed my employees, frequently consulted with my brother on the phone and gradually learned along the way".
Despite the fact that the automotive repair industry is largely dominated by men, women mechanics like Gavkhar are breaking these stereotypes. She believes that if a person loves their profession and possesses sufficient knowledge and skills, they can achieve success in any field. Moving forward toward her goals with this belief, Gavkhar has also faced difficulties and obstacles, as this path is not an easy one - especially given the unique challenges of the profession she has chosen.
One of the most difficult moments was the damage of the large and essential engine at the auto service center in the early days of its operation. It was impossible to repair it in Khorezm and transportation to Tashkent required significant costs and efforts. At that moment, Gavkhar found the strength not to give up: after consulting with a specialist from Tashkent by phone, she managed to repair the engine on her own. This incident became a powerful source of motivation for her, because she coped with a task that even experienced male mechanics could not cope with.
In addition, women in this field often face gender bias. Long working hours and hard physical labor can negatively affect the quality of life and well-being. There is still a "mental barrier" in many communities - clients often doubted her competence just because she was a woman.
Another challenge was Gavkhar’s lack of sufficient knowledge and experience. Determined to overcome these shortcomings, she chose the path of improving her skills and expanding her expertise. After learning about the trainings held under the “Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme” jointly implemented by the UNDP and the “Hamroh” company supporting women entrepreneurs, she decided to enroll and begin her studies.
"During the classes, I gained basic business knowledge, developed sales skills, communication skills with customers and acquired many other forms of knowledge essential for growing my entrepreneurship", notes our heroine.
As a result of participating in the trainings, Gavkhar has strengthened her managerial skills and improved her level of entrepreneurial literacy. The knowledge she gained enabled her to approach business operations more systematically and to plan future development more effectively.
Today, Gavkhar has already acquired a land with the goal of expanding her entrepreneurial activities. She now plans to build a modern auto service center that will be able to serve not only the Khorezm region, but also neighboring regions and even neighboring countries in the future.
Gavkhar Karvanbaevna's story clearly proves that any stereotypes can be destroyed. With determination, knowledge, and confidence, women can prove that they are no less capable than anyone else in automobile repair, business management, and leadership in society. In the new year, with new plans, such inspiring figures give more and more women the courage to follow their dreams.
About the project:
The Women Entrepreneurship Support Program (WESP) is implemented by the UNDP in cooperation with Hamroh, the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and The Coca-Cola Foundation. The project’s goal is to promote women’s entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan and expand women’s economic opportunities.
