Vobkent district, Bukhara region – 15 October 2025, a festive event dedicated to the International Day of Rural Women was held in Bukhara region to honor the contribution of millions of women whose daily work sustains rural development, food security, and community well-being.
Rural women play a vital role in global food production, and in Uzbekistan – where around 52% of the population lives in rural areas – their contribution to the agricultural sector and local food systems is especially significant.

Expanding rural infrastructure with a focus on women and children

Since 2022, UNDP Uzbekistan, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and with financial support from the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development, has been implementing the Sustainable Rural Development Project.

The project focuses on improving rural infrastructure, piloting green solutions, and creating new livelihood opportunities. In Bukhara region alone, 46 priority subprojects are being implemented across five districts – Bukhara, Vobkent, Gijduvon, Kagan, and Shofirkon – including the construction of schools, health facilities, roads, and kindergartens that create new jobs, particularly for women.

According to Akmal Ostonov, Hokim of Vobkent district, these subprojects will improve the quality of life of residents, especially women and youth, reduce urban migration, and create equal opportunities for rural populations comparable to those in cities.

Opening of a new kindergarten

On this special day, a new state kindergarten for 90 children was inaugurated in Kulhatib mahalla, Vobkent district. Previously, there was no preschool in the community, and most children stayed at home under the care of their mothers.

The newly built kindergarten, constructed under the Sustainable Rural Development Project, will become an important center for learning and community growth. It will offer safe and modern facilities for children’s education and development while creating new employment opportunities for teachers and staff, most of whom are women.
This initiative not only enhances local employment but also enables mothers to return to work, pursue personal growth, and realize their professional potential, contributing to stronger families and communities.

“As we celebrate the opening of this new kindergarten, we also celebrate the strength, leadership, and inspiration of rural women,” said Bakhadur Paluaniyazov, Head of the Environment and Climate Action Cluster at UNDP Uzbekistan. “It is their hard work and initiative that bring real change to communities.” He emphasized that women in rural areas are often drivers of positive change – they take leadership in community life, promote social initiatives, support education and sustainable farming, and contribute to family well-being and environmental protection.